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RURAL LIFE IN BENGAL 

















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RURAL LIFE IN BENGAL; 




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HlM'hTTl.vI ITI OF 


^nglff*|nbimi .Suburban 'i\U: 


MullE PJfcHTIUEfl^nLV LJf □[ISMK^TLUS WITH THE L-LAVl'KIL ASL1 HEAllANtHIT, 
TIIE YAJtCKH mOLHJCTH OP TlT13 SoLL jLKD SCAKUSd* WITEi COnOUl LEFALLB 
OF T1IK Om-TUHB A3SEI M AMLT’ACTUIK tIF IttJHQO, 


9351 


LETTERS FltuM AS ARTIST IS 1NJVIA TO HIS iS ENTERS IS EfittLASfl. 


ai 

asulii-at#oiat« ooheitic life, 

' jtiilUrLK Harm Iti L iOliOH TEllP 1<* a%NO»nv, 
iTF- 




JlloMUl ®rrt Snifcfi jto& SUlg finffflMufl*, 


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430 r J^ ? j^TTiU^ 






LONDON 


W. TII ACKER & CO., 87. NEWflATE ST III 

W. U. ALLEN * COn LEiDEMABL BtftXJtT, 

CALCUTTA TlfACICETi, Witt. A COL JUPUfcATi TH ACKEB, ViSIIKG, A CO, 

sini 0C1.A. 





















central archaeological 

LIBRARY, NEW DELHI. 

Ago. No........ 




G» v-*- 


Kim (■bK f pliant, fa*™ *- TTfrtFk'iL PTI iJT^paN, 


















En ^TifilanS, 

THESE LETTERS 



A fcTECTS*INATHLY WW* 





























LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, 


UiUWN BY TTTE AUTIIOIL 


OGHATEH BY 3. AND G. NICUOLI.5, 


LETTER i. 

J. ilnji nf Slnhntb Edtiumi 
% L*sttieatui 7 Pi^iL Fluml a-ft-asti! itm 
vt Jramlrit;.—ibB lor 

Cljwji tilt JfdUr Erf l-nr fltuil IhiuWe- 
0GVWW ArpW*nn r nr Turning nn^l ihr- 
EwnMiitila (or £injde- lL-i * trtJAnbiut), 
Eotft ttmth of i ie Uf*r Twliw white 

EAfrrtt the Jiw»* itwa ppmra* 
JnidLiJIiO, tbfl £*WiUt, Wi 4 tins Sfiwrt 
Kamw/fuffa. * , . . , f T 


Sprifi; at ImiS^n * + , , liL 

4- Mulnuili lloaac . . . >1 

5. Tin? Equimld Cnrrt*|p. 8 

A. The Pidiiwc* . , ... * 4 

7 The Hqjn . 

8- TV F^ruilrf^ lUrntBri . S 

SL Tin PirtdH. . . 

in, The Pettit +. 7 

II. lkb«ftJiltt. ..... U 


12, The tM FuhwV . + * * SO 

13. The l*rii£w?^iiilkr . . . . 31 

II, f’f!ui^LiDn, rir Huruiiii.frhiit, Cileuiti, 111! 

II, A dipiindi B *m tie II wiJiSy , . . J4 

Jfi KlUiEdiTvaipIci fair till' vruhlii[Mif 5 Mvb . is 
IT Oonnunnl Uuuib. liurmctpm , , 18 

!•$■ GtJl-dtfa] Ciyjjn.r% FLlmibe, JUrracSi [HJIL* . IT 

10- The KhiuocerQft EndoFrrra . . * 38 

20. Scram^aYc, frnoL Ge*il, CwprcT i\*]deiutf. 30 
23, ChrHnlcniin[CDrc. £ram ihe rivET » - SI 

J 12 Chunhirpli „ <fci.Lkfi. , „ .23 


33. Hcw^hlj- imAmlwrAii, or ilflhurnjini4iifi f‘ul* 

wpi ftiithiiter . - - - S3 

24, Uium- dicta * * . 14 

M.ThiOtM « * * * ■ * i£ 

ED. lEftT (li.iL Sl. r uw Haiti, or filuin ■ 2fl 

3?. IWiliil NeL—HiM FtOOug Siuis in tiro 

distui-c-c 27 

2 5, TV SpmiJI, Pt Tlwid-lIilLiiLg Nrf * - £§ 

3 ?. SookHl^ar 1 ] .... £8 

HO, Rube. Ylguttt « . 30 




LETTER IL 

HI. IIuImIJi GuiIul . . . . . 81 

Si,*. .EuLnuirc I/iJhp, SLAialii GriMmdi . 82 


LETTER II.—(ConlhiunU. 


The LfiV (u*l AqqnJcict * » i *34 

04, I'hr Atiuj, ami JilEdetT fioum . SO 

OS. Thl KLtrLru. r B 7 

Kft. The Ynnnp itauibw , , . . ST 

07. YLMlfB «f PueJtpOUu , . . . M 

Osl. Muwiifj,, or Lin«*4 b Fluwef , * 38 

Kt- ^iiiaa, jf M Ltliu-J, ditto . . . 8S 

40- lluHeE, deTurmejie OS 

41. Tatanttui . 8S 

42. llL.wr( o| iLkla, * * , . »!3 

40 . TJie CThJlScd ...... fltt 

44, Ti-d., or Sni^iiE # * . . - S3 

46. Tfafl StiUu ...... 48 

4 J ' jI'jIliuIL 33i.iijpiL*i.'—wnfd . 41 

47. UsEUt, WiMHett'* *«til. * 43 

4B. Dr. Iteeuotiiilli tUmr , , . . 4S 

4*J r .School artiL TJrjiiut-rcnvp + . - 46 

00. The SehuubiMtefi BmMag 47 


LETTEK HL 

II. Eiridi a H LurLypdrt |jie . , . B 1 

H A Miitimt M^UnCc'i , K iDiiu^hiLr 5 7 

53. KbliuaiihjLr E liittrh . . . .58 

Si. KinhELigiiur Udl^e h * + h’J 

56. Ditto Unk Iknvridi’iff . . f4l 

The Poit CuLiLTi.E-rn. VLpate , + ill 

LETTER IV. 

67- The I 'I j'u^i njsii, THTybif fob Womb unJ 

Ilismiw ^ * . - 89 

uh. The ludi^o FUnt * f > ft 

GO. Bcapdee A&eMr, Vipietto . , BS 


LETTER V. 

BO, A inri* bF Dakb 1 - - - - M 

61 . The Seed fLd*hi . . , ; BO 

fii, DluU, -off Rice i.q-LcJist ow 4th iritfkml mah) W* 

63. The Iftmlrtr. nr Ricn-^Lb^ Mill , P0 

64. The Bcttgaiee 1^2&|h • * * * JZ 

BS, Fkmglpiig - * - * 

rtC. Himnini # ■ -• • ■ » ^ 

07, C?i™p n r Juium IVt* GpiD. Yl^netML P0 


















letter vi. 

AS. Vi%5B or MilIp.biIl 4 ™ 

m. The Hurt, cr MjeW-pbei. 

70. Rsislrnc* of lluod-urvint* ■ IBS 

7L Abulia, Lbe Inlun MaudiitKit . 

12 ti» S3. VnricljM uf !kk*TBtiM. II Ug*. LOG 

LETTER m 

63. ITuo &«psC«iiJp.' , i SteinHir* ‘''StiiaFiTT" 107 

64, Ghuue. <ir Skh-Mp - - ■ |]2 

&B. Bun.nr^jn-—VirirlLaafttie Hemp Plar.i 113 
»0. K»:i D L. 

ST, Me-iii ,* - 

30. Mif oJ Malmth ilrtmiuli - ■- II" 

LETTER YUL 

g&. BdapTi(t in the Xsfflfb in tflria 
‘SO, Rivet flunvintf ink* the Lake 
91, The Fortiiiyr Offlcoi ■fce. 

9*. CNitUn^; the Indigo - 
OS. arbiziTig tW Imltgola Ekia.ti 
04. .1 Fort «of iudigu - - « 

ga. Tt* 7*u + * - - * rt-ji. 

Oft. Tba Kail EnJi: eflJTriijg foidig?a LAlLtYaU ISO 
07, Women canning the FUfit to tfav Vi|p_ I SI 
03, Arrab^meiLt for Prating tbo Fl*nt. 

&V- Tilt (JpHiliti. and F™Lhk Ream 
lUti. TF* Flaring Lmr* 

101, FrtMmg 1 h* Plant . 

102, Vat flUed, utd n*djr Aff Steeping 

I OS. The Cfaiime PiLiiip.—T?p vbm . 

104* C'cmtiTirtimi flf 
LOB, Chino* Pump working 
1CHL Near tImt of Cbinxie Pump . 

107, Aqueduct Sluic* LfcKir , 

103, (frirftf away Dwl Viml , 

]0U, Thu OeI« Stint ... 

110. BctUflf thji Vit - 
HI, Rhcao* CWlie,— Vil.bcmtaf. 

112. llcigi md Draini of I^*er Val, 

11Luting off fiftt of Li^dd . 

II 1. troUpo Remain Hode □rthawmg-aff 

111, The Fumra . 

TIB. Thro Balkn , v ’ 

117 , PUt ijf Stnininjf TiJjle 
US, BEruninp the IoiFleu h 

lltf, F4tft StnjUDfTlfck^ * 

120, Return of PraiLrur-Lm. . 

LSI. La! nf ditto , « 

Hi. PMiiiinir-bflri mutplcifl - 
Pijari&g-tMie* ILnnd 
1-4. TH= FrtK. \xfo™ Kfr#ini 
\1$, HSkIi af [ndigfi . .... 


Ill 

lift 

hr 
US 
117 
l ie. 
no 


1st 

III 

131 

121 

123 

ISA 

m 

is* 

135 

IBS 

ISO 

197 

127 

m 

I2U 

m 

tag 

lao 

iso 

131 

n\ 

132 

132 
152 
13* 

133 

133 

134 


LETTER YLtL— {Coiiimiihfj, 

12H. Finl Cutilag - ■ ■ 

1 1 7, Second: Catting Ffmu 
IBS, TheCnlt*r . 

135. Filltd CntliTtfT Ktd SLHJDping 
ISO. IV C*q« iLttT’H I knur >nT OruUDd". 
15L -4 Cflis of Indigif- VSgncltfl. 


I'ti-F'r 

m 
. ns 
w 
P im 

133 
. tft6 


L■K IT Eft I.V. 

13S. TBaJMii*iIiir J i JSttiJtftre.Joi^SeiEd ft idalu 1ST 
133. krirmetinndir Meokeijec., finnuntah 137 
131. Rjim Clmndcr Uoj* GucuJuttb . * 137 

1SB. llie NUb; Owtijoi ^irain 13^ 

LS0. The JKHi*iLiir H JtajmilrfLiIl - , 

137. Rodw IIliIlU, Sirdiraf CodUq* - I3'J 


LETTER X. 


133. Allfcitor f-li it . 
Iflll. Tlw Held AUigatnC. 
HO. BkuLl vf diltu . 


14* 

lit 

140 


L&TTEft XI. 

141, darawfcflydif'i, cr TVardiiftim^i UwdJiDff 147 

142. VTttifccof E&mux CooJio - » Hd 

143, Tllligia Mar Malutb , . - lTl 

144. Kimpm, Br TVateti lint . * * 177 


LETTER m 

14S. KapikKLMSslt Miiwnm Oiunit 
] 4$. DLU^ diilu ilnwu and ^buul. 

LETTE1 X1IL 

147- The EkpbmS Bqntp>o4 fuf TraveLliciz 
149. Tlir nr Cirttan Fknt . 

I4B. Hit T^dtai tfuBOEiB Fliint , 

] AO. TTrfnir Plant , . 

151. BUk KaLlec * 

153. Tckroc KoIiIhi . ■ • . 

] 53, KJkwmn* Plant ... * 

154, BluMDffrtfl dltLn . 

L&S, Cbaan*, > 5 f (lr*in Htto 

1 fifl. Tit Mu&tfinl llant . . ■ 

m, TbaoaMm . 

H51*. A KiniA, ™ Stfttkmg Cxunod . 
i j!J. licHklnporc Btcnffilnw - 4 

IflO. r^rjiiig LkHe«' in tlie ilorQuul 
J6L Tba Flirty Umt . 

10*. Vitr ai the Frrtj 

103. Tba MtOnUi . 

1G4. Shrpbrjd 1 ! Hat R . * . 

IflS. Tb c txardFii TfOTtltry. 

145. ikbgikLDt Riaj-iaq Hoot . Vipneitr 


T7B 

15i 


ISA 

107 

13S 

ISH 

IBS 

m 

139 

190 

190 

100 

100 

J91 

ioa 

105 

107 

]Ofi 

109 

2Wi 

203 

2U4 










. ^ QFJEPJT^' 

- -- 


oi libraryReff 

tv- 



(N Dl_t 


PREFACE. 


The following Letters—with two except ions—were written about 
(ire years ago. Travel and pressing dudes long delayed their 
publication; whilst the desolating insurrection of ilie past twenty 
months, spreading its leaden pull over the face of the country— 
carrying bereavement to countless homes—'and banishing nearly 
every thought but that of the one terrible drama—the nil-absorbing 
romance of reality around, in which every Christian seemed called 
upon to play some part, however petty or remote, may well tie suit- 
posed to have extinguished for the time nearly all Interest in any 
subjects less exciting than the alarms-—the carnage, and the din of 
wur. Rut the hydra-spirit of Revolt is now crushed;—“ Rebellion 
is rebuked —faint and more faint becomes the sound of strife— 
hushed by the gentle tones of womanly and royal mercy. Return¬ 
ing peace, with Spring’s “ethereal mildness," now resumes her 
wonted smile,—and like the loosened Dove of old, in search of 
resting for its feet—alights once more on our deserted plains, to 
“make fair weather in this blustering land." 

Thus protected and encouraged, and tnistitez to the liberality of 
his Queen’s “ Amnesty " to include free pardon for hi* offences 
also, the Author ventures to bring in this petty tribute to Her 
Courts of Pence. 

During the protracted interval which has thus elapsed, however, 
even the great storm and strife of Mutiny, at which one-half the 
world has gazed in wonder, was Insufficient to keep down smaller 
disputations nearer home; and hence, upon returning to his task, 
the Author found that he, ton, had wandered into disputable fields. 
The question touching Indigo—the Planters, and the Ryiits, dis¬ 
cussed fully thirty years ago, bad been by different parties twice 
revived,—augmented, nnd swollen into controversy. For himself, 
however, the Author finds nothing to lament in this. It has 

















PKtFICl!. 


I. 


enlarged Lis information und lib views, without affecting his design, 
which il was unnecessary to disturb l>y urmihronknis. This design 
— opart from under purposes that fear no scrutiny—was manifestly 
not controversial, but descriptive and pictorial. Tt will hardly lie 
snpjwised, therefore, that he would have sclented a subject for bis 
pictures, intended to please the feminine eyes and gentle spirits 
of his sisters, with any conception that till bis “ pretty houses ” 
and i; Noalib-arks and things" were convertible, by a sort of 
phantustnagoriul shifting, into ’■ whitened sepulchres" and ghastly 
skeletons. It is with the hope that his picture bus no such deslrueti- 
bility of element within, that he does not now anticipate such a 
fate by committing it at once to the lire; ns lua assuredly would do 
if he thought himself in danger of being found, in the forcible lan¬ 
guage of Scripture,—“ fighting against Gud,”—that is drawing 
Utopian pictures of the relationship between the strong and the 
weak, and, by so doing, glossing over the state of the poor with 
false impressions its to their condition —their wants—their suffer¬ 
ings, and their claims. 

With one thing elicited in course of the dispute, the Author bus 
been so greatly struck, I hat he ventures prominent re-allusion to 
it, as common tative on that one great evil which he cannot but 
regard us chi,-/ in its oppressive operation on the poor,—although, 
strange to say. it has been, of all things, f«i,u fiuril upon, —1. 1., 
tin? injunions system of Duntoorce. A writer, whose position and 
character lend all pus si hie weight to his enquiries and opinions, 
declares that it is universally assumed in one district j I’ubna), that 
the Ryuts retain but a half- —or third —or less than a third of the 
advances paid to them,—the chief, ora large portion, being absorbed 

by the Factory Establishment t--Let imagination hut transport 

this iniquity to British shores I What would the workmen in the 
Royal Dockyards, or elsewhere, say, (or da), if two-thirds of their 
emoluments from contract work were abstracted from their pay' by 
the officers commanding them? 

It such a system, then, anti to such extent—nay, if but one half,— 
exist upon our Indian fields, how little wonder is there that the 
poor should groan;—and how much wonder if the Government und 
Educational philanthropist together are not encouraged five-fold to 
pursue their efforts lor that gradual elevation of the minds of 
the peasant classes which shall “give sight to the blind," and 
















I'HKl'AClS. 


XL 


enable them to slip the yoke of bondage to systems of cruft and 
villainy which nii]Kiverish and debase them. 

tf (to use u modern phrase) ventilation be of service to the cause 
of truth, the Author, whilst pursuing his own object. will rejoice 
if lie lias lent one iota of aid to its establishment. In all that 
trenches upon matters in dispute—describing principally what lie 
saw,—and, in those things which ho could nut see, taking his 
information from sources deserving implicit confidence, lie believes 
himself secure from all charge of partiality. Not intending': to ho 
Essayist, lie has written simply of things which fell under his 
observation und enquiry, within the limits of hb design; but lie 
h&s not avoided any subject from fear or consciousness of its being 
dangerous to i lie “ pretty ness ” or smoothness of his delineations, 
lu short, his desire in publishing has not been to exalt individuals, 
or to point “faultless monsters whom the world ne'er saw” — buL 
to plu.ee the conduct which it was his gratification to witness, and 
which lie believes to be so well worthy of imitation, in the light 
of that wholesome enmpl* which Is more persuasive Ilian precqtt,— 
and more reel amatory than reproof. 

The Author indulges the hope and belief, therefore, that lie shall 
bn found enlisted under the banners of the poor. He merely reserves 
to hi in self the privilege of lighting after his own fashion. Deprived 
of this hope and this privilege, he can only say that the following 
pages would, in his mind, lose half the inducement for their publi¬ 
cation. 

In conclusion — with no fresh experience to bring into the field, 
he has no necessity In re-open angry questions,—and earnestly 
hopes that he will not he the mean* of re-awake hi ng angry discus¬ 
sion — -upon interests which he is sure are infinitely better served 
by friendly coalition than by dispute. If to rural scenes belong— 
* l Peace and content, twins of the sylvan shade,” and— 

" HleWil acdiufon IrtJin & jumusl world" — 

it were pity they should furnish theme for discontent or strife. 
There, in the midst of the people, autl, generally, acquainted 
intimately with their language, live the Planter and the Mis¬ 
sionary; and who so capable of being the expositors of that truth 
which no righteous uiind would stifle, or of advancing these 














fh&Fact 


interests which no Inn; English heart but must desire to see ill)* 
proved? It may well be added, who so hardened as to defy (he 
fearful denunciations of die Almighty against the oppressor of the 
poor ' 11 For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul 

of those that spoiled them.** 

May the Missionary mid the Planter he seen united more closely 
in Hie bonds and strength of that friendly unity which ought to 
work out alike temporal comfort and eternal prosperity to the 
countless poor of this vast—‘this ; wide wide' laud! 


Calcutta 1659, 



*P*W ¥¥ isli.h !. 

















m" ratv 



jl/aW-h ML 

My m is Ait S ] 5Ti- its, 

ill health lilts warranted that which inclination and cut M 
standing Invitation Imre long tempted* -mid i thus Hurl myietf oatm more 

located ut the delightful residence of my kind frltiiid, Mr. J-1-, in 

tii Li* of the biuidaomest dweding*, awl 1 take h one of the most plnn&g 
am! healthy loculi ties in Lower Bengal. 

CTMut here, T jmrpcae not to he idk\ or unmindful of yon, Imt, iti 
fulli I men I of that fC good bojr" promise J made, neter to neglect itdd reading 
yuti when p Hu/ii cnhl e*, liv 0111“ mnulLly inall^ r to relieve the dull menu 1 .1.1 uy 
of oar umlklI Calcutta budget by m endeavour, at Intuit, to I'mmain you 
with a .Itwiripnon of all 1 liftve Mtm, ami may hereafter *i'e p of itiofufoul, 
or snlnirbnn life* during my trip mid sojourn here; more particularly 
cs'ipneetetl with the production of uu article which forin* om of the principal 
unit inapt interesting L'nmroflditit's of l*eiig:d—of which L am h d 
believe two-thmln of mir frirnda in England know litlle mtm than thi- — 
that it hi a blue dye—brought from abroad—employed tu etjfour broadcloth, 
Eunt by the wnslienvEimcn at home, in little bulb, wherewith to ,d blue their 

11 



















2 


III'HAL. LIFE IS UEXG.IL, 


Linen, Should 1 succeed in attaching to the subject, t\n& maivv other matters 
*n nmected mih it, any greater amount of interest in your estimation than 
tJiese nii'^rt' fact* areeidmlnled to excite, my end and desire will lx* attained - 

t li order* however, that you iiuiy ff go with ine/ J ansi so bo clJI'o rded the 
opptitl unity of seeing whatever umy be likely,. frura it* novel ty* to interest 
you on the wnv T it nmy he tts well to begin with the licginulng.—that you 
should know, in short, how I pot herd* ilh Home little introduction to what 
may be itifn here. 

A* those who follow must need* he behind, and we are dependcut uej the 
great emporium of science for every udvunec we make in our social condition^ 
us cmineeced with the arts, commerce, and nrnimfiiGturaij not for the example 
merely* hut very frequently* and very considerably (in aliiuM all under- 
takings uf magnitude) r for the ways and means of cany log therm out, you 
will readily caneiu.de that Liar |]rap-ess In she greatest of all modern revolu¬ 
tions—that uf tniveiling—has not kept pane with the gigantic strides of the 
mnthur country. Imprimis, we have no railways., though, we are to have, 
and that probably within a couple uf years, for already have the plummet 
arid the line liean laid to the ground; already have miles of country been 
surveyed, Levelled, and cleared of the dwellings and! little plantations of the 
wondering* and often, 1 fear, though temporarily, distref^nl natives, whilst 
nur Indian Southwark* quiet Howrah* on the opposite side or the river* 
facing Calcutta* the intended terminus nf the first rail* already exkibitB, in 
dimolished house* unit uprooted trees, the energetic march uf the great 
work. What ymir m \t step is to lie. who shall <s>njecture? hut we are at 
|ea*t endeavouring to Im; shortly at your heels in Mi.*.* 

Tu the meantime we eminut In? culled backward In the one other great 
locomotive meiut*. independently of five government steam-Insult, winch Ett 
variable intervals fan between Calcutta, and the north-west provinces and 
Assam* wo have two inland steam navigation companies, on, probably, its 
largi. 1 u scale ns any similar independent assuemtiuu in England. The firnt 
and oldest of these, which La calk-d the " India Gcmrmi Stea&i N&viffaiian 
CwapQUtt" was established nine years ago* and, at the present thue, lias 
five running stcnmrr*, which tow tm many cargo fiats. The other company* 
termed the u Gant}?* $fmm Ntm^aiwi t ('emjtnny** employ a similar number 
uf gigantic uteiuncrs, which, being cargo- bunt* and steamers in cine* are 
eindth^!, tit that period of the year when the rivers are full anil afibrd a 
favourable channel, tu make the mure rapid jwusKiizeM, hist, during the hot anil 
dry seasmi, when their beds are riirdhiw, the advantage is an the side «f the 
tsuifiller vessel* and floats of the other company, which can travel by route* 

* Fuiii k lilts love tld.pi* j fciiiue tilts aUite niu nrkicEj, unit dot mi3*oy iww eiieuih. aud liu keen 
QpnjijJ pr im Unwr*!h Id Ujner- iiici: r a uf 191 (Mir*. .1 trtvclkjr, LhercFura,, finxrtiliftj; hj lbe 

antlutf'i ronti?* wnrrl-d nr m t mtivi pTfib fitly, lake the Ira in from 1 Irrwfili In Oil tlwu }nlr bi> kml 

□jiil lSa.i ujimioii uf uoat *b^ r i Luba rmJ jwIIem: eirkaJi l*i n »s n dull, nnnJortlcffl, n unri+uuie pull nf 
pousblj hgnrt in 4 bosl* fur tLc iNning, bWcl, mij tnwf tli^lit lw IM *rin toiir atn3 * htvlf. 















the jot iixEY rr-mrNTin\ 


JJ 


inacce^ibk 1 to vessels of heavier draught, Thm the advantages m i' probably 
balanced. 

The vessel* of both oompamcH* however* carry goods mid jaii^iigcni to 
Ailiihnbud** and all those intermediate station* which the season of the year 
permits their passing; for, during four mouths of the yeiu-j the Dii&gruttge 
ftnd JcUioghec rivers, the two principal stream* or mouth* of the Gangi^ 
which unite the Ilooghly with that great river* become so pholkm in pails 
as to compel the inland steamers to go down the Houghly instead of up it. 
and to gain an entrance into the Gauges through mum of the circuitiiiiw to id 
mime fuliu setfirfed channel* of Shr wild anil tiger-haunter:! S^mderbtinds. 
The jimracy, which to Allahabad, at the favoring se&Hrju, occupies about 
seventeen or eighteen days, in thus prolonged to probably twnnty+fLvc or more. 

Persons f then, who during the dry season require to visit rmrdJLtLtai* 
w hie]i the Sponderbund route does not cnuEmur, must therefore, nhimdatrijig 
the steamers,, a vail thcmadwi* or one of the three other mean* of transit vet 
remaining. A traveller in luiste, with but criding luggage* would, nu doubt, 
under such dmnnstanees^ avail himself of either the Gmtmwtfnl Ddk f or one 
of the if Inland TYttnxji Company** equirotal carriage*. The former mrfhud, 
us you most probably sire already aware, that of a palkcc, or palanquin, 
and bearers, relays of whom are placed at dialed distances of eight miles nr 
so on the road, tun! travel throughout the night tin will as the slay. 



til* r^iTEBiTtUL -rilUlAi.F 


Tlie Eqnimtol Carriages is n very late introduction indeed, and derives its 
nami 1 from the four wheel* being of equal dimensioned- The design of this 
conveyance* it appears, originated in a suggestion by our then Governor- 
{icnerab Lord Elk 1 u borough, fur si vehicle ujkhi two wheels, which could Ijc 
uim 1 to accelerate uiir mads about the country* Upon lhi> idea Mr- Gamcron, 
conch manufacturer of Calcutta* projected the prim-nt cijuiroul, the design 
of which was that it should lie drawn, not by hur&e or Imre**, but mm, -■! 
dhk bearers; that it should be so light iti iu construct! tm tlmt QU coming 
to any jmrt of it journey where the road—or the absence nf a ruad—did not 

* Tbii w^irjliJ be mopB jircrperij UUulpilijd, lm| ifciis wufd 1h,in^ new Aipr!i«H*n3. t Aavt n'liunml tbe 
imEi-rwwj ipettin*. 














J 


Rl.lL-tL MFP. tN ISESOAL, 


admit of a pairing, tins wheels should unship, and, with their KileA, be no 
heavier than the cmdorrmry load fisr a tumghy Irfsum-p ur porter, and thu* 
hr carried on; whihrt in thnir stead the usm&J [iohsH should lw inserted at 
either end, m that the bearers could curry the whole machine cm nn ordinary 
dtUi folk re.. This idem has. however, been abandoned, and the eijnirotui is 
now confined to it* wheels. 'The mode in which it in drawn depend* upon 
the chunuter i>f Uie road. On what is railed the Grand Trunk Hoad, or 
Benares New Road, h in^m are Employed; on roods not metal 3rd they are 
generally drawn by men, mid in ^arnc few instances, by bullocks?. 

The majority of our metalled, nr, to me the native p!srase common in 
India, " jnirknfi +t roads, are, 1 bcheVCp those leading to mil jiiec! military 
station*. But much bo* done, 1 ani nsHorcd, through other thin 

,L r - n eminent means. In the districts of Suahunghiir and lessore much good, 
it is declared, ha? been done by the phfctit<r* T moiv partinilnrly in connection 
with the Ferry Fund Committee, of which they are sudd Ui be the must 
useful members- p and in the nirigbbourHood of lluur own fectorif they 
have cHtobfimhed many mile* of excellent road, 

Person* not in s.uch baric ns to requite this mode of transit, or families 
carrying much luggage m furniture, may prefix the rdd-fashioned mode of 
travelling by hoot, the character, size* and condom of which will depend 
upon the mean* of the travellers- I need only name such oh are eoinmnnlv 
used, by Euro [leans, 



*m imr. v. 


The I J ifUHUx t the largest and bjuid.-oiiicst, is perhaps more frequently a 
private than u hired boat—the [property of the planter or merchant. When 
hired in Caldutln it is p I believe, more used for family pleasure trips, or 
Terv short joiimuti, than for any lengthy travel, as it* hire is expensive. 
in *htc this vessel may vary from twelve to twenty tons burthen, and from 
forty to Fifty feet in length, It t» rigged something idler the fashion of a 
schooner; has two rooms, besides bathing dooeta ; curries large nail&p and 























r hk jfiruNiiY PP-cor\TRi% 


ii 


a crew of probably twelve or lifkrn men, wlia of nnir-e ply their cjmw when 
there i» 11a wind to bring the saila into uw. 

The Btfjra in ti large and emimjixUim^ but generally cronibroua and 
sluggish boat, having mare pretensions to i^nnfcut than sjwTil ; in-vert ha less 
it La frequently used for up-country journey*. 



TUT ULJHL 


Tlict BAcfirfit/ff is u lighter description of the woe character of boat, 
varying in its dimensions from the size of a medium bujni to that of our 



common dengoe, or passage-boat l t is of general Utility, and suitable, 
according to it* size and the liiimlicf of bands you may he pleased to engage 
for it (from ibur to eight, or, in tbc larger kind, ertfn twelve,) for all 






















ariLij, r.rrE is iickhal. 




iKKusions, from a short. suburban trip to cui it p-country journey; to convey 
ft party to the Nuriuurnbki Cutiiptiny’s Botanic Gardena, or els a more genteel 
.'Hid comfortable, though it is not thought by any mennft a m/rr, conveyance 
for a Isdv trhm crossing thu jivur Lhnu the conunnii doigtr. 

Tlie planter's boat is gcnarafly of this nature, but larger, longer, anti a 
latter puffing and sailing boat than the OrtLinaiy Calcutta bhnuliyn. The crew 
mnv be found to consist of some of the field labourers, who, during re ft a in 
tUfmtliB of the year, have probably no agricultural duticH to occupy them, and 
arc thus tumbled piviHtahly to hi'ftow their time on other employment. 

All Indian boats, though built, adapted, mul provided fur rowing, are 
mUiivj boats; and being round, nr Hat at the bottom, having no keels, are 
of c on rue very liable, if caught in a wjuall, or through ciirelcsiiuesia falling 
Into the trough of rough water, to l)c overturned. Hence, in a great measure, 
the frightful estent of casualties on the river during some of aur sudden 
squalls (tigil terrible nor -west gales, l jkm the last tnebincboly occasion in 
my remembrance, upwards of thirteen European, nod eighty ’native lives, 
were declared to have been lost. As to the native boatmen, what with their 
nm'lpsMTirss or verttiiresoiiimesis, so strangely at variance with the general 
timidity uf tl.e natives of Bengal—an mtmunrtnicy which mutt, I imagine, 
Ikt referred to their fatalism—the only wonder would l>e if these accidents 
did not occur. * 

N'ext to these, the more respectable class of bout* I bare named, may he 
mentioned two or three of an inferior dcKcriptinri. The Puttier (or Kuiorn), 
OI Bsggage-boat of 11 iurlostun, is a very large Hat-bottomed, el inker-built* 
unwieldy-looking piece of rristicity, of probably one thousand mans („ r 
Au'/Itce, mounds), which is about thirty-five tons burthen; bat occasionally 
they may be met with double this size. They ore used principally fo, 
rarriagi' of cotton iinil otlitir up-f'Ountr\ _ prodii^G, 



Tii nnrvui. 

families in middling or narrow cireumstunces, journeying to the upper 
provinces, avail tlmmscbes of Isoat*. of ibis drocripticm, and hitherto the 




























the jDfmXKT ET-coramr* 7 


government, far wnnt of suffienciit Iwats uf its own, luw frequently employed 
tliom far the transit of troops from tin; provinces to the Iteeidcncy/ ur 
ebifwfiGre. Frequent fatality, I believe, attended thc#c transports, mul of 
naurne grant Ims of time, so that during the late iliumr-wc wur; which 
occasioned a dram tipnu Bengal, fay the t master of several *tcauicra and 
tnoap-boftts from the (rJingr\> to the Irrawaddy r] ver, governm ent trailed 
itself of the services of the Steamer* ;likI Flats of the private inland steam 
cocijKkim^ of wliieli J have already npukmL 

The Puhnat is a smaller description of native travelling liuat, of 1 mater 
build, and lens rusticity of character, soirtettmea u*lhI liy u single traveller t>f 
hum hi r meatw^ ami at others serves as cuok-ioaf and aerntnoiodatiaa for 
esemuitti wmmp&Dymg one of the large kind of boats t have already named. 



rui 


Now, that ytttt may form Home idea of Slit? relative merit* of those 
several convey oiilt*, 1 will just state ihat a journey to—ray Allahabad— 
the furthest station to which the steamer* ran ■ the estimated distance being 
H(K) miles, geeertilly occupies these steamers about iltl dap. The charge 
for a first-class passage (exclusive of diet, which is 3 Kooptcs per diem) i* 
0OQ Rg., and you are allowed twelve mans of luggage, or a little more than 
8 ewt. The cost for the like journey hy the government dik, and the least 
expensive name of £72. mile*, is 27Ai II?, t annas., or about 0 annas (one shilling] 
per mile. You mast provide your own pnlkee—or hire one—and are under 
the necessity of giving' three days notice of your intruded journey, Until 
very Lately, in addition to the cost of the dik T you acre aim under the 
necessity of making a further deposit of ]££ Rs for possible drmumi$r t 
which was returned at the rt>n elusion of the journey. This demurrage 
money being alajlishctl, you luivo now t«i make the lrsscf dcjigeit of 25lj [Es a| 
of £25, before undertaking a length of journey which yo« folk- at home 
can accomplish in twenty-four hours* at a cost of a little more than m many 
shillings as here it require* pounds. 





















8 


hl-kaIj iin: in jjfncal, 


In tlii a mode nf travelling you 4 re allowed eight bearers, two bunghy 
bunln-m, nr luggage earners, each carrying lbs. weight, euic! two miiiud- 
cIidl 1 ^ or tor eh-bearer*,—-an esaenriri convenience and protection through a 
country where mud and water, dHcbei anti jungle* internipt your path, and 
tigers, pnjiflihly, prowl upon its margin. These beasta, van are no doubt 
aware, have a wholesome dread or fixe, which they will not approach* If, 
however, your luggage lie Eight—within tlifi weight which can Itc carried by 
one man—and llie el ill rat-ter of the road he m eh as not ti> tired the services 
of more than a single musaldie^ the expense of the journey can he propor¬ 
tionately lessened. lint Ijljw will such journeying strike your western 
iniairiimtions ? Vet in no better fashion have hundreds of poor timid p 
delicate ladies, eon lined to this box-like eoi l vcy mi ce* wjl.li no protector, 
tio fellow-traveller, no country itmH, « 1 tillage cottages tu {diner the wEiy t 
traversed for five and six hundred miles the sandy plains, tL ji- swampy fields, 
and jungly paths of India ; resting during the day anil the night just ns long 
as may have hern arranged for whim starting—perhaps four nr five? hour*— 
by halting at the dak bungalows, or [w?st-htage homes. These are situated 
at various distances* probably thirteen or fourteen miles from each other. 
In these buildings will he found in attendance three resident DOTvants, a 
khan^amnn, a hearer, and a sweeper* The lirsS prepares whatever food he 
may be directed to purchase on your liehu.IT* and the second wt* as a sort 
of vukt, or general personal attfrmknl. Vor nil this ncrammodatitm mid 
senior you pay one ronpee for the iluy, or, if your ? 4 ny lie under three hi airs, 
half that amounts 

The charge for the same journey hy the equirotai horse* carriage for a 
single traveller is 88 Us. t for two inside seats, 1 17 Us, - or, for two inside mid 
one outside passenger, IDL Hh. Twenty seers, or ID lbs, of luggage* arc 
allowed to each person, and the journey occupies about 4 week, during which 
the traveller slops For refreshment at the usual dik bungalows. 

With re*p*ct to this mode of conveyance, which bids fair rapidly to 
supersede the old pnLkcci dak travelling, 1 may add that it h not five from 
liability at least, however seldom they may happen, to frame of those mishaps 
incidental to old-fuhRiiirrl rood travelling 311 all parts of the world, such as 
running off an embankment, hud roads, and accident* to horses, vehicle, nr 
harness, Hut instead of horses bring used, the same vehicle can be engaged 
profiled by twelve men, lessening of cmirstj, the probability of nee blent, 
mid with it the speed of junmiyv hut st-rirmnly murmshig tlic cost, which, for 
this im.de of trainst is EiH lts> 

’ I v tlia api'uii^ imr fill, lire ,l Trill* it Vmupanj" bum- - I, s ,,| *,W htatiai, mr.i\ nitm 
rtirt tluTi nuriufici Tnuu i hr pmcit U«rmiin™ of tlifi rep-in,!^ Hut far Ll.r .SdiuhII Liimr. 

l.l^uid lb* dfufc IiMvipppUbI fjw j*rwnU terfhir miJi it iSi.- wi 1,the tcmw*m miiihi h v tliiH cm.,- 
liKhp Lem ISO mflr* fHrtiuir. Tlitfii u■* sow i*n traniit -MirWn' TJi.l i-nIM t| H . »■ Jlim.lcMMii Tlnr« 

Hat i'UliIl'c[ ak i*ji In mnj 9 trnTclltr &MH 3Jjineir|^iiluri! Ik A|],iknJi4nE iN f-itjf *1 jt* amJ » httSf; tkji] 

fcf etttiff rnri*gc fbuiipen Hlf tu* Ihr Erifu 





















r srt E joc ie X i: v u r-co uk thy, 




Tit tPaveUing by boat it is imperative that you provide yourself with 
whatever you may require fur cxnisiiniptiDu as food, beyond fowls, fish, and 
egg*. Meat I *( no kind {unless, possibly, now mid theu it be a little kid] 
is nijUUunble on the journey r except when stopping at the principal nflilitarv 
or civil stations. If vuuf halcing-placc lie n 11 indo-i'i iTIht^ you cannot 
procure even fowls, which ore not killed by tLn? Hindoo#. A supply of milk 
mid eggs, however, for the day tuny generally be obtained from some of the 
Tillages on the hank, arid of bread front the vuriuti* factories which may 
chance to lie found en rmtf, though even tliose tilings are not obtained 
without occasional difficulties. 



P4PW CHI IT r 


The expense of a journey to Allahabad by one of the largo mul better 
boots—either the bujm sir large bkouKya* manned probably by twelve 
bonds, varies from Go lls. to 180 Ms,, and ucrupio tlic traveller more than 
two months. The espcuHC i« T of enmwc* the same whether the boat be 
occupied by a single person or a whole family. Upon that description of 
native boat, the put Jlce, I have already described, a Mr^ Bricrly, boat agent 
at FntlTgliur, bn*, I am told. Improved, by eoustmeting nu addition to it h 
ai’earmnislcitinu. so that it resenibh* a bujtrn. It is said to he a very comfortable 
boat for travelling* hut terribly *kiw; it in pulled by twelve men, and the 
tost depend® upon its *lzc, The charge is -i Eh. for every hundred umiin 
hurt lien (nr about iuiih). The men are paid ut the rate of I 11'- cadi 
per months and there is nn extra man, termed a gixiliya, a kind of coxswain 
of the bnat, paid nt the same rate. Stippnsiiig, therefore, the ra^i'l *u be id 
medium aiae—say three hundred mun*—the toud enfit would lwr about 1 hi \l*. 
With the Ordinary'piutrli-c, hnwover T and fewer men, and thrtvforr slow it pru-e, 
the Calcutta boat agents undertake to have you conveyed to AlLahakub at a 

c 

















10 RlUAL LIFE IN BENGAL, 


charge of about 7o Ran, in two months and a knit—After all thin you may 
imagine Low we pray for railways! 

Thus, then, I need hardly tell you, that few persons in the present day t 
except tlmsie in ncedv drffnfflfitiiU!PA| patruuisi 1 the old boat system of 
travelling for long journeys* Lor short trips, however, or to plntres not in 
the mute of steamers or transit camt^esj jiih. 1 whither the cost of Uic? 
government chik may be prohibitive, no other resource hi open ; ami this 
brings us to the place from wlicuco l proposed to start. 

This nLciII he one of our ghfitu, or landing-places, where boats " da 
congregate/' and, as perhaps the most commonly frequented, we will select 
that known a* Fifth™*x GMi , which is a flight of steps hading to the water's 
edge, Hiinnonnted by a neat, pillared., porch-like edifiee s built by a native 
gentleman, whose name It bears, and shrouded by a very fine pecjiiil tree, 
which the mm Hindoos, more particularly the women, returning from their 
moral ut^ ablutions in the river, may l*c n-ltix to water from the hnu?* lota, nr 
vessel, which invariably necompauies them, 

Now as the journey hither of no great length, and two-thirds of it only 
ran lie performed by water, you may supple that 1 engage neither pimrnec 
nor bnjra, but that comfort and economy are sufficiently obtained by hiring 
a small bhouliva—or, wliat is tntire likely at a Hue-weather season Lke this, 
a small native pmsfeej which, with a double set of hands, or four oars, is a 
ligliter ami much quicker boat. Tt i* longer, broader, anil sharper than the 
Calcutta dengee* which, m T have already mentioned, in the common passage- 
boat of the river, over which boat the pum&tt baa another advantage— 
tluit ijf Iim admitting the hoards which form its deck under the thoppu* or 
matted roof, to be removed, no as to permit of a person sitting therein after 
the fashion most ccmvejitent to Europeans. 



TUI BOMl l®T5 rrmp^iaB. 


Aa to the dragee, I trust that its days, as a ferry-boat at least, are 
numbered. It was with no little gratification that people saw, after many 
struggles, ami much delay, the estahlkhmimt of a small jtitam ferry-boat 
lictween Calcutta ami the opposite shore of Howrah, whither so umny 





















the jotrmimr uT-foixTiiv. 


U 


hundreds of poor people have daily oce&fflon lo cro®*> Xonc who have 
witnessed the rrowds of these poor crtatuiKi whom the otifidity of tlae 
Stositmen induce to cross at one iiino> and wIiuhc pOvti'ty compels them to 
nvai] themselves of the cheapest tnuMtj hut will htuftily wish success to the 
little steam fiarryj the expomte of which, to the native, hsut Ixmh brought 
wit hin the mean* of the puorottj'—^to that t;liiis s in &1 j■ <rt*. elmrgvil by ihe 
dengee wallah^ or boatmen,—-viz.;, Imlf a pice, which \h aomething lfla& than 
Ek ffcfthing, 3S"or me it.a advantages by any means ennfined to the natives. 
There are fciv Europeans who* during rough or stormy weather, are not glad 
bo avail themselves of its services in place of the comfortl css, [laugenjiiSj and 
ricketr-loohiiig ilen gee.-But q]I this while we have not left Uiihixj s frimti 

Having, then, hired either a slued! bhooliya. or punsdeo, which is to 
pmv-ev us to Sooksngur, for which conveyance 1 am U> pay lour run pees, or 
eight Khlhirigs, and deposited therein a travelling trunk, ind divers small 
mutters, not forgetting sumo trilling £4 creature comforts for the tripj von 
must suppose us, with certain customary pious ejaculations by tin: boatmen, 
quitting the gbit at eight in the morning, and after clearing the shipping, 
and mailing the atimm + proceeding at as quick a pace as the most ignorant 
and skilled, though perhaps the most patient ond enduring of mwrr* in the 
whole world, will perniit us ! Mohuminudaus in religion, they arc not mor e 
bigoted h faith than in their commonest practices, and hence, obstinately 
adhering to that method or 
sitting in which they have 
the teaxi pomr t and to that 
manner of pull nig in which 
the on ns, by being confined 
in their action to within 
twenty degrees of the bout's 
side, have the least vffvct, 
wc find oiuselvca progress¬ 
ing, even with a five-knot 
tide in our favour, at the 
pour rate of probably seven 
mui a half. In min wo talk—in v:uti we taunt, «eh! point to the market or 
travelling boat, pulled by the more sensible or more teachable Hindoos! 
who, Laughing as they pa*\ throwing themseh-.s forward, and sfcretobmg to 
their oars, quickly leave ua behind. 

After quitting the European part of tin? city nm! the shipping; together 
witli a great part of the congregated licet of native stormboate From the 
pro vine ps, that crowd the bank near the northern division of _ the city, the 
first object likely to attract attention h ft certain bare and dismal-looking 
quadrangle^ open at the river side, upon the high walls of which—overlooking 

1 I flit?L In M\l]rm to Ihl* but m htm *** * rrfy flue feif « c^«sdjni willi lie irm 

lickiwpag to tJw fiJJwiy Munpmj, 



nil lnuii mu til 

















12 


Kl-R\L LWil IS BESTiALr 


the ground inunrijatcly coutigumis, where n certain native hide-metiahMH 
and contractor with the tmiiieirYBUcy canuniMiotim, cnrrica on his delicate 
operation* in connection with the defunct. qimflrttpecb of Calcutta —ate 
perched some fifty or more hungry and expectant vnltorca; whilst amount 
them, or licneEitb p stalking amidst bones and rubbish* and anon scared from 
their object by u pack of equally hungry and distrusting-looting pariah dogi, dis¬ 
putant* tor the prise, tuv seen a score or so of the adjutant, or gigantic; crane, 



irmti.; mpU) If PF» fBUtiTSua uUjlT, r.unrrt^ 


This budding* hi known as the u Burning GMt / 1 —a spot enclosed and 
appropriated by the Hindoos for the purpose of burning their dead. When 
l any - the Hindoos/" I mean all cflA djTonf if—which„ nnfbrtutiBUdy, 
not above one half of the community are enabled to do. Knowing, as you 
ulreadv do, that, with a very small exception (certain low classes sun! persons 
who die tiseetira), , Hindoos ’do not bury their dead, yon will he curious to 
know how the pea mt Ha^es dispose of Tlivy are left upon the bank 

of the river—whither, indeed, they wire most probably taken to die—until 
curried away by tint river's sacred tide:—that river from which Calcutta is 
io a great measure supplied with drinking water! I t La not my purpose, 
therefore* particularly to direct your itlnition to rill which may he scon npuii 
*f dough’s breast," bst 1 cater mure to the curious than the ngreimbic* 

Some years hook a very sensible proposition w as published in tme of the 
Calcutta papers* rewmmciEdbig the establishment uf a suliscnptaAiii fuud p in 

* | Is,1 fl_ sin« the ifcflm ™ ^Urn Ihn alii M dl-twl tgnAr*n$m'' w bli JiBHppuiLre^, m\ n unr *nJ 
imfiP' J building hru Uik nti its plwtf. nmJ ibtwfo™ funui tiir ilM hating Tht lii.Jr 

mcrriUfm likr.wi*r h Ui *UM bin Bortk n. |W |™**l Enmitioh gWl b 

dutrint iUa bj t allure* stul enuua, uJ pitimiw* khmi iu (w 1H 'l 





























tuk jurns kv ri'-tui STKv. 


Id 


order to put it in tbs power of the pour. a* wdl a* the rich Hindoo*, to 
dispose of their dead after that manner which, with very trifling exrepta*., 
is not less acceptable in Hindoo prejudices and desires, than adrantageoua in 
a sanitary point of view; hut unfortunately, idthougb it was shown tin it the 
eiperuw could he brought within two reopen for each cremation, nothing 
(wme of it. Instead of there being a cremation fund, therefore, the P™K» 
have to keep certain boats nnd men belonging to them, colled domes, wW 
olTlee it is to remove by sinking, all offenal™ object# found Heating m the 
riT „ _ w hich thev do poribly after tin- spertmth- ha* passed Inough the 
whole fleet, and found at length, .mad probably, a mtmg-pWcagiinit 
the chain of some ship, or the paddle of a steamer, mare ucU» than the 
rast.^-So the eve is relieved, at hat, at the «l*ure of tlie sii.nmeL —for 
who can doubt'tlml the evil thee cherished and confined to om spot mn.t 
become a Wilis,:,me spring of impurity to the water about it / If the 
government «OuM abolish the boat estid.lwLmr.it, and transfer whatever 
amount it to the proposed cremation fond, it might aid ill no mMg- 

nifieaut degree as a monthly contribution towards tin* scheme. 

Let me, however, quit the melancholy spot, the air of winch, when the 
wind is from the shore, has no more charm for owe than the appearance 
of tho scene to another. 

Proceeding onwards, a more wholesome air and p«»p«t greet the senses, 
About four miles from our starting place, and juBt alxree hitpore, c 
northern skirt of the tHy, and on the same side, is the Inst increasing su tur¬ 
ban retreat of Ubesipam, at one time the locality only nt a government gun 
foundry, and Mrare- Haworth, Hardman, and Co. a tloi.r mills and huvcuit 
manufactory, but now of the residence of some of our qmet-lurmg anstoermy 

- |S 5 B —Srraie tim » ™«« *■ «*>* ** ^ 

^effcamd hf Uu HthAdo* for fr brJ l* ^ 10 ^ smtwm cfaiLlrrn, m lufttfi lwo 

7-»“ r S - ta " «H—H*—* 

imifrr <*U>" eireiamum*, “* WlH V. • > . f V„i, luan.ee. i 

civil «r rdi B W «. IW. «HWI« 7 ^ wma —The Mm of 

7 . Pom.. ^ P!&mJ to 

bfolill, <* tito WIBdnilta M lhrjfl^.1 MTL- bt^L- ■ - libn lurw Cif WDtd/' 

..«. *. - • ~ vr s*» 

WLtJhnUt tuiy sort of fllHUliU n:lclHLiHiy- 11^ Lfr L m 5 )^ mLiI-t Of Lirf 

sr^j* gjgfts&aflLjjgB 

,ll “ ""“ , ” ilti ? E t f. ku ^ TL—rt >— Jn Isptlmrto il« -EJtWlJ «f "***m 

jr r^-y,SEir* <£■*———--- 


































TA ttVItlL LITE HEN'CJALs 


or welUto-ilo citizens, Whfl have no difficulty in driving into tuwii tu duty or 
bnsuica in the morning 

■AboiU three mile# above Cosstpore, on thy o]j|K3Hiie side <if the river, may 
be H h vi i n very pretty stj*p<mji{m-bridge, crossing Bali-Khill mr Creek), near 
to which id ei school, eftUblished in the year lti-UJj chicflyj I believe, through 
tho liberal instrumentality of two wealthy native gentlemen,* tiuhcD* Joykisseu 
Mookeijce, and K:-sj kittsen Mookcijefi, of OotapiLrah* About two hundred 
piipilsp ad 11 uuIop^j are here instructed in the usual branches of a plain 
EnglLih i ddcatioiij and in a knowledge mf their own-—the Bengalee—-language. 
It a pfiififtfj schcioL About forty of the kids of the higher class pay a 
monthly fee of two rwpeea, and the remainiler one roopce mch. Towards 
the maiutenauw of this school, govrnmiuut grant a yen if y utun of 1200 Its., 
uqiiui to the bahaa'a Ligament, and the remainder of the e^pensca of the 
estahhshniflnt arc met liy the schooling fee*, which amount to above a moiety 
of the whole income, the average being about Its. 





lletuming to the view of the city, or eastern side of tho river, and about 
i'iftlit miles higher up, an object of yet more inteiwt meets tin- eye—a |4ai U) 
bat plemnng-teoking little church, in the wmi-Gothic rtvle, and, adjoining 
it, & very comfortahle.ltxiking duclling-LouhC, and misidon-ttiW, for the 
instruction of native or utJier Christian girls- This is AgAp&rah, long the 

tissuirt of tuirktron* and mclkib, pmrlhr. Cratfw, ™ ]. fcd to «r[,ira-LtH i„ the watt, (hen 

IB tin *|imt Hif CsrpomJ Mm—" 0.ir hoinc-Umut «[ Ikr bejuMt *lmf w,mh it *11 I ■' 

^ wiUioul •Ininjc TkJ*ace t« erf prejndicf, (to thinir ft |inetEei lilt nuihik ta aJi lbs .im»Hriir of 
L ib nnpaal pnipoiLtiaii. TH euiptfatis <o tke nik- uf luinihi* the .lent racist kc n Lui^uilfcsut it. 



























rut intUNKT 




BceiiR of Llit’ labours of q. very excellent anti exemplary Lcily, Mrs, Wibon h 
who, indeed, arigiitidly* and by tier own eiertiatin, founded the mission, and 
raised vahwriptiotui for the erection of the church, which cost rtmpe&v 

Tin; KSbaol wan opened in $.1; Cliririinn teachers were substituted fl.it* 
benibwi, and a Christian convert become bear! master* Yet the sphulors 
increased in Humbert*, though there were three or fuur other school* for 
tuition in English, when? secular instruction alone wns given„ By the year 
IB45 these had all closed. 



Ihijumm tiUTUU, mi ■mkfjllP Qf ulF^ 


Xear to AgtjMi is a place ciiikd DakinahAlmr, in former days fluid tu 
luive l*ecn a limiting place uf the ^nwdl» £d r Chitparfl* aiul abounding with 

mnn-ihi'r nj to a FTi-i'i Oie main qiintion in Tuiriflj a prater ili-^fcH lb an ike case of Kriikualiil cl Tinning; 
woo]J oiTuct it. Wr aro luli. Ob Ui* brut utisfwmty. Ibat in tljr jw iSfrJ the lumbar o/ hcuiiui hadui 
tJ j m*0 Inla Lb* t\V£T fll tihr piUlimliT |£hic fll lie Dilltll smi gf f 'nlrslll□, unuLin? j- 4 In fhrrr fApwttmd m\ur 
AuMiirrti (/uJ !■—and I hi % number ibeie an rniHMti for koon i mu ii tooJjer Uio aifETfltf*. 

The Envcmrnrn 1 :. U fl^iear*. ]aj 07 JU. |wnr mi-uik for knni UDjilojod on ifir dulj- alirndj rrfrircd lo. 
Thh muliM jidJ 11*14 Sb jWj If UJi nm mwa Lf&fihkrw] li* tin Cie<utkiii t'lLtulji would 

sacirt oanJniLKlL of the probable oipcotc of 4Q34 creirmLiuiii. If ilir pmnnMiit t*ht? nuvPline H* ei?P- 
lribnLt msisfi: Um-ly, n smidl La* an sin: wr*lt3iy wbeu bmrniups f4eir ikrnS would kJ slni foini. rid.hr 
■|irrit uni pxri tail* *oiiF4 eJkrt the fnnialttiFtr; *uJ unpaid tHHa mJjfkl Lo pxnalid bj mire ppilzij I- 
prartfl* of vtieited 4etdmlimi of porcrly, which ln»t te fritted k-v ibe vailva Umqmi1y». 

1 e ii eer Lunik to be tnpoJ IbaL tbc iluj m not fir ilirtimt wbr4i lUU iRust roTirltiiri mad ifetrPfPff 
roiUisn. wiik all ifi. ofuaiiro eoBMipiBcrEE, will Li: aambuieiJ m-tJi tL* Juth^UraJJv mrj SutfeB «nil (Lr 
ulxnoiL I^thLLj miol Hmn of jw^luu] wLLintL^iJ, nhsuh Him zi^nzit nf e lumj Uwtiafi nid tbr [ant- 
vurcjlrt of a EfllhJlKWHI kin^c fc"«qit fjnnL Hie Lulu] Jt tuaj With iufetf Lc flisOrtfli llfflt Iba 1 ! fcir bra 
L'liiurn Ll-J Of iiUdJljSEOt TUti^ra wbi Jti Hot iEftjuIj ]rwi qjKilj Lbc finfj irn r^-dulton of thi 1 (hUit IliuJAM 

widow wilb morii uf tLnt usnn jibrariil imi brnrar witii wkinL Ka^t'nb bicii iioit rD»] tbr aiw liroa kuiraliig 
at wikbH i iiinl in Uka *»j will lLlo tlbiloo jul laimt to wjkr d *hh aBriirLK nni ierliion Uve ]^t foLll» 





















10 


ju liA). LlP't tx nexG.ii,. 


tigem- In tin 1 immediate nBighfearitood is a densely populated village, and 
uu inmnnmiblc hu«t of Bmhmuiiiu 

Several objects uf n piuturesquio character now present themselves: vary 
luii idsc nsj i Hindoo pagodas, dunked m either ride of the porch fiv somewhat 
formal rows of smaller teiupk^ amidst or relic red by rich* deep foliage of the 
tamarind or ihn peejm] tree; anil rustic gllJU^ on high, broken banks, over- 
abniluu i.nl by dusters of Line graccfid nr cl lofty bamboo,. and numerous oilier 
trees of an Indian jungle which margin the rivet 1 a bank, Little else is now 
lo be M-i-n, !nfkTd T on either bnnkj until at the distance s’i-lh tin* river flow*) of 
about sixteen male*, you come in flight cd Ckmzrnmmt Llonse, and the 
delightful park uf the military ccuitorment of Bar™:kpari\ Vim know I 



dUTKiJBinr tiicito*. niTtii-*M»nnr 

have good cause to regard this place with feelings of peculiar nttaebmeat 
The remembrance of nsy lamented aiul amiable-hearted friend, General C — , 
emphatically styled 11 the good general/' who in the year 18 1 L wcls com¬ 
mandant of the station, and, at the same time, t am *afc in saving, com¬ 
manded ulm the aficctioue of all who boil tfic happiness of knowing him, in 
aawiriated with so many agreeable reeoJlections, that the natural merits of the 
place have Acquired tenfold value in mj JbdingB ; and in proportion to those 
feeling yon may suppose, arc those of indaueholy regret with which I now 
pwss the welLreiaeinbOTcd ghAt and spacious dwelling, where ml I met the 
warn and gratifying welcome. 

( iovi:rument house uf Bamckpore may be termed the country residence 
uf the Governor-general, who, cither by carriage, or in hts beautiful pinnace 

of tli me pnrjuJwri which «mU tld mi wry to Hii*Jurti[[in r uu] iw l* Irat k, bf ^mpu^.iy widow-hwcP 
aud In ij>j k* ik-r cc wili -ills Jiuniii, ^itiUy «ill± thtif F^rmpcim far ls Jj. U» Wbvmn, 

iinjaxm, uil iHttouc Jinri* of eiptutHg their ifeyf, ■*]&■ frp ,f Kood ^naJ ^ tb * 

nrfisv of ihiL itrauE which lbc+ mrtrrnw, ami tVn* watm uf which dwy drink J 



















Til u jnrnxET 


17 


nr barge* timed by a ideatncr, generally pirKfcedi thither on Friday, rand 
returns tn Ciilcimaun the Tuesday nauming. The house, though plain, is large 
ni][f suhstaatiiil-lDokiiigj and situated rat the head of the small lint beautiful 
prai k that, for probably a mile, skirts the Link of the river. 

The pork, which embraces a consider* bio extent of land, with here and 
there gently undulating ground fa feature in the landscape which from its 
rarity in the plains of Bengal, adds no small grace thereto in our eyes) is 
umbrageous with Hoe forest trees, and enriched by the most rare rand hcran- 
tifnl of cultivated grardeu plants A portion uf the park (ah of which is under 
charge of il European superintending gardener, who has aboily of luiUces or 
native gardeners under him) is exclusively devoted to experimental botany, 
and the whole grounds, which are inh-fsectwl by gracefully maundering patTis, 
Ijuth tor walking and driving, are not only very tastefully laid out, but kept 
in the neatest order and dc&nGucss. 



cxrfelUL ffH-fin d bun, rj.niii i^ifipn. 


Besides its trees, dowers* and delightful walks (for here at early day with 
something of the charm* of solitude arnundj you eau really ra walk;, the 
park possesses other objects of attraction. 

Near tu the eastern entrance, on one sale of the main path which encircles 
the grounds, is a menagerie, containing the Jtmal fcoolugfcal and emithoJo- 
£"ical subject—*ueh os tigers, leopard*, btiUfe, kangaroos, and monkeys, and 
some very beaut [fid bird* uf the pheasant tribe. On the opposite side of the 
path L6 a circular euclu^uri!, and bum Kuo aiul thatch building tor a giralTe, 
where also may be seen a pair of very fine ostriches and a gigantic tortoise. 

Continuing the course of the same path tu the lower or south end uf the 

























nr eiai. i.iFK is isrsmt.r 


IS 


park, ;tml mi enclosure of a more substantial character, strengthened and 
spiked on the Lmii-i side by strung bamboo*, will lie observed, Here, cither 
reclining their paiiilermiH Ittidies in the mnrnitig sun, or laving their massive 
hide* in the tank wliid] ommpies the greater part of the enclosure, art" a pair 
of fiill-fiiaeii ftbttioocrtair^. 

Dun Jig my stay au Jlarpiiekporo it was related that wme It me previously 
tine of tlitw creatures—the male—had killed an uufortuirntr Nijinhre {native 
public r}, who, with more animal courage than human reason or prudence, 
had, npon tf>me Ocradon uf the brute’s baling by accident broken loone, 
madly ventured t o oppose him. Three ffipAhira, walking through tin- park, 
suddenly observed the animal, ns t have said, at large, roaming tht* ground. 

- Arm hhtjt / 1J (Oh* brothur!) exclaimed one of the elder and more 

prudent .— 4f See! here's the Lord Sahih’a animal coming,—Rmi!"- 

" If 1111 !” (exclaimed the pour young Fellow, who pair! so sadly for Ills 
term rity, and regarding only the imaginar y discredit of miming Away,)— 

u Never 1 if be strikes me. I’ll strike him V* -tie stood e till; and in a 

few minutes hi* mangled corpse, as you may suppose, wm Ijeing dragged 
al Hint the park hy the iuftu*inted rhiliOGEroe^ 



Not many yard* beyond the rhinoceros enclosure, occupying a corner of 
the park t amiiist a pretty forest of bamboo*, is a very picturesque little 

■ 1>'H - So mu jit WnMtnihm of dec feiiuc in n$abrv rttfvter ilnvrtojvn] k the prwmt nUbm 
— /miTi iJjttifcv—ihB Merifln at jurewtai Tnlurt ]WE*perti. od «f Jifr fo r Wap E 0 f 























T B 12 -*0 Ult X K V CT-C QU XTI1 V r 


VJ 


building of Gothic? nrllutecttire, This H known els Loral Auckland's school, 
it having been built and csisltlLHlucd 4 by that nobleman, when Uintimor- 
gcneral, tor the cnhicmtimi of Bengalee lade, atrout one hundred and twenty of 
w horn, nil Hindoos* urn hi strutted in Buglbh* and in their own longiuign, awl 
contribute n HimiJJ muiitUy fee, according to the mutiny 1 hdirve* of their 
parents, of mn- ruopecj or less, towards the support of Like histitutiotn The ra> 

I minder of t hi; expense L met by a grant from what is cullt.fl the tbirhar FmuL 



BKUKHWfe 

thirsumg the path round to its tenmuatiort, lead# to the evening i)fivC| 
tf.mlcfl on the om? side by the river, towards which the hank gently 
shaded on the other by umbrageous trees, ond enlivened by all tin. 1 gaiety and 
gallantry of the cantonment, listening to the delightful strains of tlie military 
band* which j upon two evenings of the week, ia generally found adding it* 
t rrerir.fi blc attractions to the place* 

Precisely opposite to Ihirraclcpcire i* the one time Danish ^tt Lenient of 
Sm*mpatu+ h is ti very pretty* neat, and clean little imm, mid lining built 
™ h%h ground, ami buying the further advantage of facing a broad and long 
runeh of the river, beam great reputa for salubrity,—more than contesting 
l he palm, it is raid, ufj that score, with is - opposite neighbour of IS arrack |w«re, 

Scnmijjorr was built by the Danes in 175A P —taken by OritMli troops 
in 1B0B,-—restored after the peace ju IK IE, and nUumil hy the Danish 

ift 3 iBaf) , IflldliffEsra in ib.iqs nkiferttfiili lie h■:MId 1 i«ti ]hku inori: ftinyeriiiaH eIlmu it* ftifc ftf Jlm 

The lliin -I|«jhrns HIIIJ tjqiifj tlm 1 mI« llrai^al iftliT : Kkt vli'u : auil wilt* jmiilrJlt ihute 
mni| of i In' Ulit, IScJl, jlii.I 4SNi n'jjiaiietiti, v, Lo tutor'd UMMHih ti »idi bui^ur pi iauii^uj- s.iwl Ltirfcqu* ; 
RJ|k] ibr infimflAtrrf fha'!i-ni-r£]l rJi■■ Liifufiitiii tkrili’Ii ^»T, ujr^unl wlim* uJitiiuu’Jji u »iJlp ibr foatwli 
li jjfillrt IM Ida lini n| i;h bfiikJ, biiJ pcrishoL tn jI i-Ii. i*m n ir 

























at* 


ICIILAL L 1 I C IS HE.VUAIjh 


government until the year 1 Hi13 3 when it wo* made over, on pufld lewc* to the 
English, for the sum of twelve Lata of mapccs, or LlEO.MHh With its cession 
tu the English, crafted the hem-hi of its refuge to the English debtor !— 
refuge, that i^, only from any Enjtwh process, because recourse to the Xhmiah 
court was of course open to claimants—a recourse,*how 0 rcr, which few, 1 
believe, were at the pains of racking* 

Seramporo claims an imperishable Interest from it* connection with the 
first udsHOimry operations in Bengal—the celebrated missionary father^ 
Doctors Carry anil Mmslnmm, and Mr. Ward, nil men who have shone in the 
literature o-f India t hating them (unitedly} first settled and laboured.* The 
College, which Is ms the hank of the river, and for which the Danish govern- 
merit made a grant of the land, w&s built m Lite year 3818, from, it i.s njiid, 
the private rc-ourci^ of the Serumjiure missions rim- The present object of 
this college is uol only l<j give a good general education to nntu'es in the 
neighbourhood, hut to train up a body of native teachers and niisslatiariea 
connected with the Baptist Missionary Society. At tills time about Imlf a 
ckpcn youths, principally East Indian, are receiving an education for this 
latter purpose. 

Next to the college, both fo tardily and interesit, are the paper mamiUm- 
taring steam mills—not only the first paper mills, hut the first steam engine 
ever set up in India, turd are, I believe, the only works of the kind tho 
country yet boasts. They tuned their existence to Dr> Mandrnmii, mid were 
intended to manufacture paper for the objects of the mission. T'hey have 
been continued in operation under his sou, Mr John Mandiumn, the able 
editor of one of the most talented and uifiuentml of our lucid newspapers, the 
Friend of India, published at Serampore, Thu* n it bas been remarked, one 
of our most popular Calcutta papers (for m it may be termed] is printed and 
published jdst sixteen milts from the locality of it- principal circulation. 

About three miles above Barrnekporc, and on the aumu aide, is u very 
prctty-Iookiiig villa, shaded by lofty trees, and embellished by tasteful garden 
ground, where also many pleasant days, spent under its roof, have added one 
other to the sunny spots of my finuted Indian wanderings. This is I^hapore, 
the residence of Major \W Audcnou* CJS. P in charge of the Non. C<napfiny T 6 
gunpowder irprks, which uru seen a little m the rear of the dwelling.f 

* Ucre "the Erel Hrisfckjsifcrr presa tc-a estsblialiEd; thsflut nnhnol tluc Scripturalis ibi=.lnn^iiii^i<ki 
of tin# preiiifMji nil ibE £Lm I nin ut\ the Iid^ua^ t-f n*ipj r wm printed, buiE tfa tl^l rmiM'uSiir 
I'jkiu'il. Hit flnl eoiTrfitrf Tlml-w Tjapriied—slid: the flint ilram rnekir rrrr perm in India,. *d up, 
"i fltJw tg niaikhfarintr jmpn for lbe printing of Lbjc HnicJ nu /4r%Xf B^t ftfa 

Hwtf&hf. Cdmfh J J r i>pie‘ff , ( Ji'o. V | [ J , T hil, (T, 

f ''/utinfflf trader I hi! ffU|tertrjlcttlciirt ai Jcilm Far^nW. tfFjli cffnitrinal to uriaiN (Fu r*h nw i 
rurinnf. « ii m Hid, .if efjrlttj Ufc. of 1[>K)J,P« l! U hat „n act of ju.lLcr to Km ^miry to Omit lb.1 
ikt Whole nf UiU tun wiia aot itcinnalfltBj fn>in the [terinhilea. liur of unfedr, of hU ^ilHonl j»it : m nm- 
■i-lcr^tk iwrtiniLwr it mia EUu uf EJm tuLfivnJJrd pEndansiiy fitthu jirioi:t* of liulian Dkirii, vhm «n. 
irackil with tiki BoiitiiFy «nmL h>T hh JiiiM t 0 wpplj kii td*U for lwo niuns [fl/J a .Lit I On kU wlm 
bo Ei^gkiiJ M it -hid iv have dhnd to endtiw anebf die S^ttaib wit* |UW,000 ta tsLihEiik ft 















THE JUlTHWltY UMfrWCNTinv £1 


A little below Tshaporc House i« the Ferry, well-known to moat persons 
corning from the city ns FoJta Lihat, the terminus, gciiertdly spicksof 
cam ago or hugjjy jaiirncyingft from Calcutta, as travell ers here cross the river 
in order to gee into the great public north-west d/Lk roads, The Opposite 
shore of the ferry is marked bv two tombs, one of which h Raid to have been 
erected to the memory of an iiinglbdinmn who wits murdered. Here, i 
heheve * wi 11 1 ic fi i u is d tiie fs rst of tlw * l1 m k bungal ows „ tree ted for the eon- 
venieiiEsc of travel lnrs, and to which I have already refeitfed* 

Continuing our journey, we pass a very unattractive looking native town, 
railed ttlmddeshur, It i* r however, an important and rt tensive mart for 
grain, mnl appears to 3 jc lasth a busy and populous place, About twelve 
mile# further* on the same, or westernj side nf the river, we nevt gain night 
of the French ^etttemeut of ChandmmgoFe* where the tricolour of France 
wavEfl over the tower of the govemtnant warehouse* seen upon the river's 
hank. 



Ohandemagorc pomsra very coosidOTihlB historical inter&it, hliving wo 
are told* been an ratenstyie and advanced tow n when f'ulentta wns Little brtter 
than n collection of mud huts. Ncurly a hundred years ago it was the scene 
of a fierce though brief struggle between the English mid the French, when 

rnfi'iKinblii- flt ALhiriiin* \m.t I far utter nm **t cimfK rejwletL "—Notet -me iAp RiyAl Bank -/ tlr F^fy. 
Ctiiftitfa iiniVyi, N«. VL, vnL iu, 

m&X—Th* irwU *t* mw ip iflUji of fdmtdl Tl tom Ejrft, C.B^ whm UJarti u u fenttar mJ 
i nWm *p= Wfnfc th#, wrifU ta W kl H*nmiir* of tJw CutoJ Diflutcn," *ml ti- rmimil natgrtia uJ 
vni-a&lik «rrk'n in Uie *lrU ftg*uut Ibe miliunn. 

















Admiral Watson* vnclt three men-uf-war, (for which there would appear to 
have been, whnt there now* I bdwra, is not, sufficient uf cluwuid in 

admit the passage of each huge vessels,) coimOMdcd and captured the plane. 
It w&n ircstufral to our friends the Frernh in the jmr 181 fh 

Pmceedhig on wards, we next, at the distance of three miles, and on tin; 
njitn f nhlr,, reach the Dutch settlement of Chinn urtih, w hich, if we have had the 
good fortune to keep 11 it- tide w ith us for a sufficient length of time, we 
probably read* by II vo in tin? evening. Here, visiting our £ood friends, the 

G- % l am tempted by their hospitality to put up for the night, or, if not 

hurried* Ibr u lunger period. 



9HWBU. 

Like Sc ram pore, Chinsnnih is now, and mu ce the year ISM fuw been, 
an Eiighifi paMC^iotij and wjjs selected alike for its salubrity and convenient 
locality as a military station inul depot. Bt^klts the cantonments, which are 
el tensive and capacious, mi, English Church* anil a Baptist Chapel, which ire 
here found* Cliiiisnimli in distinguished for its handsome college, commonly 
cnlli-d the ILoDglily CoDege, where* at an annual oust or about 02*000 IK, and 
uinler a principal, one professor, and fourteen master* (six English, and eight 
natives), fur the diflcRmt department of study, above five hundred unlive 
lads are mstrttCtrd in all the usual linniehea of English useful knowledge, and 
in the Putman and Arable literature. Strange to say, a clinks opened f or 
uud ruction in the Ihuiplee language proved unsueeessful, and, conscrjnciit on 
want iif atfrHrlELLuttj wjw abandon *'A ^ lodi**, Of the scholars, full four 
hundred are Iliudptiu, and (with the exception of two or three Christians], the 
remainder are Mot^idmiins, 

























THE JnrirxrcY W-COUNTSY, 2$ 


The rollpge^ \rliich is seen oil the hank of the river, weif founded In tlLu 
year 18M P and supported principally from fimds bequeathed for pion* purposes 
by a Mohmnmndun Kintkmiui, by whose immc, therefore, it is properly 
cuLlctb being known ns M the College of Molinmnimi Mohsin/ 1 of whu*o 
property our mlers eut now trustees. Any excess of expenditure over the 
fixed income fo met hy government, find the scholar* of the English depart¬ 
ment psky n small fee. The system of fee payment lifts been gradually intro- 
til teed into ail ilie government college*, suit, in proof of the value set upon 
education by the Jienpl^ with nltimnte success, Independently of otndcrouH 
dcffleEtnn T ic]miL'* l tin.' government maintain eight MLiiiilm' iH&lk’ges in rnrimua 
pariH of the t^aLintry% ;it [in annual coat ahmit ^63,&89 lls.— fidr evidence 1 
t hink . ihi\t the cause of education 111 India has no ntgglttdly supported in the 
East India Company.* 1 mu not aware Fur what number of acholum 
the colleges provide instiruetion. The latabliHlimciito containing the greater 
number of dmleiit* in I ndia lire no doubt the missionary mstilulioii*,—in 
particular thufct; of the Cicneral Assotubly of the Kirk of Scotland; of the 
Ejtc Church of Scotland [gcsieraliy know ti m hi Dr. DuiFVj \ and of the 
London Minaionary Society sit Bhownmpon'p in which there arc seldom li <s n 
on the average j titan a thousand student^—*ojm times many more-t 



qutiii.ni .1 iw j u S if. 


Resuming 1 our boat journey with the morning's tide, the eye ii attracts!, 
aliont two miles el hove ChinMiraln hy si pair of lofty Moorish spire*, nr 

* IB5!il I; —Tte MirfMiiii* or MohatniniriiiiL Cettcfa of Calcutta, hud immunt il* bnnahw uf 
i ritiUrj It will iHri riPiUr ncrphw tkus uutu tins praum tKilhmlk thU dim bn- tn-en 

*tnJ tilted. 

■f From aJL Liatnuli nfl M Sniiida uf HLhhhm Fn Ittdi# t'-iy lint," eanipned % tht 

UtT L lliiikHfl, of iha JIluiWiuijiiiH Jlinq-.ii, h ijipeHffltimt the miiiwMn^ iiLnJut-WB no Iiw tkn 13*7 























BUBAL LIFE IN REN UAL . 


21 


tBumretfl* and virions (if the Bosphorus—the Alhambra, or the mosques of 
Cniro f titrAt before the imagination* These—not the viriOEis, hut the renJiriea 
—an. 1 tliif tnwera of the I^imhcLrah, or frfgl&miiniudim CqUcge, built and 
richly endowed by the wealthy native gentleman I have already named 
Mohuimnurl Mohsin. 

This allege is situated in the native town of Hgoghly* which two centuriffi 
bach appear* to have been (in the dflj» of their Indian prosperity I a Portu¬ 
guese settlement of eonsiderablti importance. In 1(331 it was arrested from 
them, after sustaining n siege of three mouthy by the Mogul h p under whom 
it became the royal port of western Bengal. After the recapture of Calcutta 
it was finally token by Clivo t und 7 although, uf courn.: 7 all its greatly* bon 



long departed, it h still a gathering place for Urge numbers of "the 
faithful/** 

Tlic Portuguese little settlement of Bonded a mile or so above Ifoogldy, 

Ymsfcdir foj M'ho*\M m tmtkWg 4?,*04 bayij ti^rtier iril h 03 bwudmg mhmh, UU 

Ubrirtiim l»y,. Th tj aU* pqjwtfuStik.1 litfl m^rior Ei#U .by KiuKik, ImUwt Ibrmn “ll r 5G2 
L*yi tnj jrjQDcr men. FeimJr hliuAlbn Uu ray qlLuJ li>* coily tap* f# fudaH^ in ilitir hurnla KDiLmm 
Jiiy M-liauli TikT gitb. ranliiaia^ 11,5 ID grb-uidj-H ■ I wit miter bufiM utc uiterLhitind Jr^m iu iLlsE 
Ih-wj^inp Kbaol^ cnTitfljaiiig ¥T7V t b-rmiui girli, 

* " fc *** 11 U ®S% th ^ ™ cibbtub* it tliii jiTrpHlrnejF ™ M np ; u ,4 Ikt 

in 177 *i Hi- fci « print** L* Bm(nL,-Llu BtfipJi Oiuun>r HiM* Am ft.nrfL t™, 
— fie iif whirrli pun cqc *dk hr* i&n luuJ* !ix Mr—Ml. ■ Purdi &r L'h»drt« iU 

ct-ebi , Lbr b&rbi liner uf ri^i]ii*U-Dn bulJ J?n|irgirtiiiEut F it gf Ittelf flinra^h tn imniortailfce nr pUrc, nm 
tlidiLigh *!t ist iHiUlind ud ™un«tW in emIdcis aluiuld bn entirely JorfCttittL' 1 '—JMa « M« toAf 
D /CiteaiU Jtmrr. 






























TtlE JOrji\nY FF'Cm NTHY. 


23 


is the l&zt spot of liumim habitation in the nhapc of town or stittlemfmt which 
ii met with in our progress to Sook*Agur + Here is to l*e seen ttti ancient 
convent and church, hearing iijjoii ilh low steeple, dr belfry, in antiquated 
character thfl datt% This must lliercfore be the oldest Llmtkii 

church on this tidf? of India. 

And Ui)w fc liming fairly quitted the busirr hrrnnta of gniin, we may turn 
onr attention to other objects of curiosity on the river, of which the fleet of 
nathe bout\ spread over itw broad surface, famish the mmt prominent. First 
we IwMi the bulky 0^idk\ or baggage boat oi Bengal, sometime* as ^gantic 
id size elh the Pufilet, and used for mueli the same pnrpocw^s. This buit-muned 
\ csflcl is a clinkr r^hniIt boat —that is* hcviiig the [dunks overljip^ng each 
other, like those in a London whmy- whereas tit the round, smooth-aided 
Quhik and most country boats, they are laid edge to rdge p and fadUaicd with 
Iron damps, having the appearance of being stitched. 



m Dtrt !■ 


Nest we may notice the cum brails putelec [already spoken of), at the dose 
of iw wearisome journey of three month* from Fomdiabnd, it may be, laden 
Tith a variety of country produce, such as rice—wheat—grain—*01: and cotton, 
and inn mud by ten nr twelve boatmen,—each man—when there is no wind in 
bring'the sail into Mfr—standing up on the bamboo jilatfonn nr roof, and labour¬ 
ing nt nn enormous bamboo nar, full eighteen feet in length, with n broad 
round blade at its extremity, like a baker's perl, with which it in impossible 
for more than line stroke to Ik* made in about two minutes f I! ri allvd 1st r^Mis 
you to see tins amount of labour thrown away upon that otic dip or the our. 

Indian boats, o» I have already mentioned, are nearly all intended for 
wHItif 04 well as rowing. Occasionally their sails are mode of decent country 
caui as, hut more fretjneutly of a very cduw and common deserijjfh'n of fabric 
commonly called i/inmy ,—the material employed for the lm^- I,, whieh the 
sug:ir, rive, and other Indian produce is junked for r\junta linn fo Europe, 
Such material yon mny chance tu have seen, and if *n yon will cmiduik’ that 
durability \* not amongst its virtues. Economy of time and labour, til-**, 

E 


































gfl IlCIIAl. LITE |J! UESUAL- 


Itot Iming nmougst this acquired " jnoticsl knowledge” of native# of tlur 
boatmen claw, they fiswrifiec both ihe one and the other, to save that 
trilling enjmnlituri 1 in cadi srhieh would repay tbcm tenfold in kind ; and 
hence their gunny or other sail may be sera worn to such n a thing of 
shreds and patches” as frequently to esdtc a war of laughter at its truly 
hirtiemu* uppeftrimee. 

The mlj exceptions to npdDCmitiy boats of any sister carrying sails that I 
am aware of. an' those which bring our periodic supplies of hay nml straw, 
which like floating ricks, may he seen gently gliding down with the tide,— 
little more than guided til their course by the single pair of oam slowly 
moving at their ride*. 



■4T fcFU 1 MTE*W BPU.T1. 

Of all Indian cruft, however* that, skim the Qooghly, commend me* for 
tlifiir really graceful figure^ tn the Hihx These ungnbrly formed 

Ijfjatfij that from the gixut length of tlieir tapering extremities, apjiear to ait 
upon little more than a third of ilieir whole length* carry perhaps live men,, 
and at the liltaa season arc provided with a net of about fj feet in breadth, 
and pmhnhly 300 feet in length. The long lower edge (if this h* loaded with 
small weights, and the upper is supported hy bamboo float*, so that on being 
“ paid out,” an sailor* say, from the boat, it forms a wall in the water, against 
which the swift swimming hilsa darling, tircnnics entangled by hi> Ims, and 
incnpable uf escape, Sometimes these enormous nets an? seen stretching 
nearly half way across tlie river, and art kept in pmirion hy the Hoath,, to 
whidt the iirt ip attached at a s-nffiiieui depth below the Hirfuee to prevent 
it,* i wring icjnrt?il by bunts or Btearner* parsing over it. The whole i* then 
allowed to float down ihv river with the tide, any attempt to oppose which 
by a fixture would of courac l*e fatal to the net. Ekime of the smaller. 


























TH& JQt lCVET rr-iu? ST\i\. 


27 


gentler ititami of Bengal may be seen staked across from side id side ibr 
similar fishing purposes. 

When at other acasomi tbe^e boatn arc engaged in ordinary fishing, n 
npt of another kind, and f tt more moderate lEmcnriotk^ Ls used, This is 
stretched between two It mg tapering bamboos, which are united hr eroding 
each other near the thick or lower end, and made fast to a short horizontal 
bamboo that rests upon two wttiall uprights, or crotches, on wlifch it 
tanM na upofc hinges, Tb lower the net it iia only nooosaary to let go the 
inner end of the huinlmtos, when the 
weight of tile upper is of course suffi¬ 
cient to lower the whole in to the 
water* To rai&e it again requires 
probably the leverage and weight of 
three or four mm applied to the 
inner ends of the bamboos. 

Another and very ingenious method 
is with a cimdnr net p around the outer 
edge of which arc fmriutiftd small leaden weights. A line is attached to 
its centre, and another is loosely rove around the margin. The net is 
gathered together in the hands, raided, and skillfully whirled! around the head. 
In Alt iiiMemt, as the margin is allowed to escape, ii iw seen gracefully to 
expand like a parachute—pirouette in the air—and theu to descend Hat 
Upon the water, covering a space of probably eighteen or twenty feet. The 
centre in kept up by the Hue attached to it, hut the leaden weight* 
instantly descending, surrminri with the net the luckier fish iis in a tent. 
Those that chance to dart downward* before the month is closed may 
escapei tile rest are most probably in the market ere the day is an hour 
older. 

The Mbit, T ntay mention, is a very rich and delicate fish, in grant estima¬ 
tion amongst Europeans, but so excessively bony as to render the pleasure of 
eating it hardly a recompense for the risk of choking t The roe of the Id Isa, 
however, is n delicacy indeed, that carries with it no risk of danger. 

There is a third and rather singidnr method of fishing I have Keen practised 
on one of the small rivers in this neighbourhood* A large shrub, or similj 
treCj is carried in a boat to the centre of the stream, and there deposited. 
This is staked about at the distance of a fi w yards by a circle of bamboo*; 
which done, the men pull round Lt—at firnt at a L- oMidem hln dktanee, beating 
a small drum, or rattling tdgetluT, with equally alarming di*eon I, piece* of wood 
or baud*™. The object of this i* to frighten the lisli, and drive them Inward* 
and lumcnth the tmtclif.-roiu shelter of the sunken tree* la filing the circle 
of their course, the mm gradually close in towards the stakes, which they now 
surround by a long net—drop the lower edge of it to the bottom p and thins 
enci rcle the luckless fish os in a pern A couple of men then dive, and draw¬ 
ing the lower margin of the net together, secure their uiiraristbig prise. 



rmuw nr amb aiUU, riilLUH* frufi. 

















hi'Hal Lira in aasoAi. 


2B 







Tb& lc^.PT fry of the river, such »* pmwns p filming and a variety of 
fimeJi fish, the jrotee, the and the tmrf^rre, a aperira of mullet, are 

more commonly sought for by the poor living near the bank#, who 

in a y be seen,—women as well jlb men—standing, or rather walking, up to 
their hips in the water, nud pushing before them a shovel-shaped band-net M 
from which, at interval* of two or three fniLnnteUj when it is raised, they gutter 

a hfttwlMj it may be, of some di¬ 
minutive filth—the hard-earned 
reward of their patience. 

But our writer journey for 
the last two hours has hero 
wearisome. The flood tide nt 
the distance we have now gained 
ift weak, and at the p r om t 
season, of abort duration; w hilst 
a north-east wind has prevented 
omf profiting by the use of si sail- 
In vain do the max pull (par¬ 
ticularly after /Aril* fashion) t 
albeit urged by the promise of 
Aurt*ftettfh f and equally in vain 
have t hii lined myv lf f -“ Al ~ 
AJtv rem " n SBtL lust two or three mi 

Lug the spare oar; we now make no progress, and the men must gooA thnt is 
by aid of a long line made fast to the bead of the mast, track or tow the boat 
from the shore. The labour is deeaire., the hanks alternately high and Sow, 
iind broken, arc intersected every few hundred feet by breaks and biota of the 
river,that have tu In? lorded middle-deep ; or if broad and deep, the men must 
either swim the brief distance, or come oil board again, pull past it, and again 
land. Every now and then fleets of large bout*, that need not attempt to stum 
the wtrnug ebb-tide, arc aueho«i to the shore, and our gooning line has to 
he cleared from their tail-mast heads, in which operation wo are at the mercy 
of thrir boatmen sending a man up to cast it nfFf or it may be, should they be 
disobliging, or the fleet numerous, that my own men luive ™ 11 

boat, aud pull to ft clear part of the bunk, 1 have beat a wnme flour pulling 
round a fleet of such boat* at a point of the river where the tide ran with 
more than ordinary force, arid a strong wind also was again*! us! 

With such, interruptions you may suppose thnt our progress is slow 
indeed: but at length cultivated banks and the operations of the plough 
present themselves, and Sookriigur Uanae and factory , on the left bank of the 
river, gratify the sight and term in ale our water journey at probably four ill 


the afternoon. 

As it is too Into in the day to proceed further, I hero ax-ail myself of the 
hospitality of the place and remain until the morning. Though there may 























Til£ jouuxet uFrCou.vrav. 20 


be no host to bid me welcome, there arc servants on the spot, who, hi con¬ 
stant attendance to meet the advent of their mooter from he&d-qturieis, or 



M^rffMhan hjih *. 


his assistants or friend* from elsewhere, are quickly summom d ami In readi¬ 
ness to render ail needful little attentions. Haw there should lie n furnished 
house and no host , may uppour a mystery; hut you shall know more about 
that when wu come to talk about Factories and out-factories. For the present 
it will lie sufficient if I state that Sonk?Agur may he tenncnl an nut-factory, 
where it is not essential there should be any constant resident beyond the 
OomiLitah, or native ten dent, whose dwelling in somewhere about the 

factory grounds. Thia t however, wm not the state of things upon the first 
occasion of my ™it there, when, indebted to the hospitable attentions of 

Mr* and Mm 11- f I found all tbu cheerful social and domestic comforts 

of life added to anti enhanced by the sweets of mofu^id quiet, pure air, and 
the rural aspect of the place, 

SuokssLgur House I* a neat and comfortable little dwelling in the midst 
of very pretty and cultivated garden ground, which it surrouodcd by lofty 
trees, mid adjoins a small village inhabited principally by fishcniicu, from 
amongst whom the inland steamers take their first pilot when premised ing on 
their upward Journey. 

Jhit SDakiilgtir r I uniat ti-ll yoiq possesses some historic jJ interest. The 
original house was built by Warren I hiding*. u_h a country residence for him- 
«c!f and three other civilian*, and for the purpose of there luring an Englihh 
farm, where eiperimentHi in the growth of coffee and other productions of 




















m 


RITR-IJL. LIFE 13f UEXGjLLi 


that character, ccmld bo tried iu order to test the capability of the *niL It 
was, indeed, the first property coinieetcd with the soil of Bengal, otiE of vtuat 
is culled the Twenty-four Pergunnolifi, possessed under sanction of govern¬ 
ment hy Europeans. Thu property afterward* passed into the hand'* uf the 
celebrated Joseph Baretto, a rich Portuguese merchant of Calcutta, who 
lived there in great style, and amongst other additions tu the ertahlfrliment, 
founded a Homan Catholic nhapd, and provided the priests for its services— 
of course exclusively for kb oH‘u family. Hut-—'Mo what base purposes-^ 
ma v not nil things fL come &t lia^t ! ,f — Mr. Barotto 7 * Biiccen^nr, Mr. Lnurolrtta, 
a ISpnuiard, celebrated for Ids hospitality and sporting propensities, enliveried 
the chapel into a residence for rnnhoufo (elephant drivers'! and fighting-corks] 
The rmngf-H r>f a changing river, however, have destroyed all truces both 
or greatness and of degradation; for not only have this the original bonne, 
and the beautiful village and grounds adjacent, which then stood about two or 
three hundred yards from the bank of the river* entirely disappeared* but that 
river is now fully a mile and el half on the south-east side of where the bouse 
formerly stood. Indeed, I learn that within tlie last ten year* the river in this 
place ha* flhimgcd its channel full two miles south-rast of its old position.* 

It is now full time to reach Miikmili, hut haring I think bestowed as 
much of the subject upon you as your patience will approve for one letter, I 
shall reserve it* continuation for another. 


* Uat tL fib* mtllilbl Ilh.I -l-Lh lined W ItlH Hit. yjlut weli ja HlitttL—DUii dinD^rd Wb! Ibr ■crnr I A frw 

I«l of fvliwd t*>&. 1I F put finuuMtof in l a (hr nvp-r t ffunL "bieb* Kb** luL hnni, it wn« •ftoffad full Jlfty 
j if\i± i ill Anri, v m 41 rkm rruaniuvnt of SaabdSj^nj Hdqbc f width llmi n[«i lly bud foUuirftJ Lhe tu - - -if in 

pn^ fiMr . 

1 &£■*. — flit ornr hie* ni:ia shove Jiaif n mile furl In r BijiiLli-riV’i uf iibi\'r. the IuhLac stood, sdJ tbfLiiletia 
la turn The if(y ew™ of ibu Flnn^iilj. 



• MMj-urA M4'J3nL 


















iiuait n, 


LETTER II. 


Mnfmtii, JntMmry Mstk. 

L'i^n the flrnt cccamon of my ™it to tin* place, when, ns [ hare already 
stated, I slept at SookKiigrir, the mntimmtinti of my journey was performed 
by flrUt palkec, Tin* is a less wearisome mode qf travelling than might be 
suppoaed-—at IrzLHt ilitrec in health-—because there arc so innoy odoi^icrn^ 
on which—whether favoured by the cold season, the morning, evening, or u 
shady spot—n traveller ran relieve its tedium by walking-as / did. 

Bearers Having been engaged from the tillage for tike early morning, my 
baggage nan sent on by Coolies, niwlcr charge of a Barkendla, direct in 
Midumtli-—a rliMnnce of twenty -two miles. A IfnrkciuLis i- gciu-ndlv an up- 
country man, of courage and bust, employed in a private watchman> and, 
whether guarding the premise*, or going a journey at night, is generally 
arnusd either with a apear, nr long imnhoei quarter^sUfl’, or, if he prefer it, 
bis award and shield. At a little pa^t four in the morning, refteshed by tea 

and toast, I stunt'd p accompanied by Mr, II -and \m amstajit, on horse ^ 

bftfk, ah far i» n place called .Vtneedpore, about five mites on the road, where 

























32 


BTJUT+ tin: ix pxxflttH 


my palkeCj which tinil keii sent on at a ven," early boor, was in waiting. 
Frurn tlic Saddle into the palltce, howEfC!’, upon j?o fine a morning, was, to an 
enfranchised spirit* ton like retnni into captivity to lie agTcc&b!o- Su bid ding 
tny frininl* good-bye, I set om upon jfixrt* my palknu and a train of fifteen 
men in my rear* I walked about five tniles further on the nmd 7 breaking the 
lahonr of luy men. ami delighting my eye with the* refreshing and really very 
beautiful, illicit Hat srcucry of the cultivated plain* of Ecug&L Never had I 
before incun the Date growing ao uhumlumly and m exclusively. Not a 

nut, nor a Palmyra, to lie seen—but date*, alliedt of a stunted growth-in 

all directions. 

A hot rtuti and alight lameness drove me nt length to cover, nor wm 
I able to walk again more tlaan a mile or so during the rr-^E of the journey. 
The men rested hut once 3- at a ■■ i I Inge called Bel ha, under the shadow of a 
remarkably due BanyuTk-tice, which is proteeted and eneoum^eil in its growths 
it appears, by my Host here. With the exception of the great tree of the 
Honourable Company 11 * Botanic Garden, it is one of the finest and the most 
picturesque specimens of the banyan T have mm in India. 



IWTIj Il-j uvftat . 


As the journey shortened, the pace of the hearers Increased; *> that hy 
» little past two o'clock [ lighted a small green eottnge-lile dwelling in the 
distance, anti wm informed I had reached Mulnath, The little green bnildin^ 
proi ed to be one. of the gate lodges at the ntremity of the grounds; upon 
nearing which, ftnd clearing the numerous trees that shrouded the approach, 























mriKAfit nocsr and its exython*. 


33 


Mulnath TIuusc ftjK'ticd upon mv mtryriscd si^bt, anil rciuiudL'il me of tlio 
mansions of old England, which we are accustomed, to sot represent! in uM 
TiewM of some of the country neats of our nobility. 

Albeit, little distressed hy mjf weight, I wu yet glad to relieve the poor 
bearers; when asticudiiig the broad (light of utup* of the jxirtico l was 
welcomed to a midciite, the elegance, cotupletenens of dei'oratiun, of fumi* 
hire and convenience Uurjiighuiit which, apgkrtmttl to In 1 all in keeping with 
its imposing exterior. The lower story, floored with the finest grt-v marble, 
richly carpettfd, and fttrfn l ft ad in short with tin- most dilute mid tasteful 
materials, ut once rcnUwnl alt that I bud Iil-cii led to expect of Mulnath 
mansion. 

TjiiLf r nud i (a viclssitudiis* of fortune,, bdvo wrought wim^ regrettod mill 
mmi^rihuJ chjyigfti in it* appearance si tire then, but thu spirit within has 
known fin change, A cultivated and refined tu^te, indeed, U not dependent 
upon wbttmdance fur its exercise, and may be os much displayed in the cottage 
of the poar m in the palace of tie great; m that though there may be now 
le-^ of cosily mmgnifieen eSj I find no no of the egscntiaU of clegsuujo nud 
comfort Jinking, Mulnuth, in riiurt, has moulted not one feather of its 
charms. 

Mulnath House and grounds nre situated In the district uf NMffoa, nr 
KLshnoglmr, and on the right bunk of theErimmuttee river, one of the smaller 
tributaries of the Ganges, haring ita mouth amongst the mmirmiraMe stream* 
□f tlio ^oonderbiiuds, and uniting its waters with tht*c of tie Mutabui||L, at a 
pJaec* called Kisheugungc. The but-named river, which at iU entrance h 
called the Choorneo* near the min* of an aid native stronghold at Hurrml- 
hem, enters the HuogUy at Serb] m ire, about eight mile* above SaoksAgur* 

Although the distance from Calcutta is not above fifty-two miles in & 
straight bur, its aspect siml character wiuild lead you to Hiippw IM loculi tv 
to fie in mmc very distant province Indeed, in the abjure of native 
servants, there is hardly a feature to interfere with etn indulgence of the 

imagination that the scene is Turopean^—an impression which Mr. ¥ -- 

unproved by removing from the immediate grounds most of the very fi*w 
trees of the palm kind which he found scattered over their surface, 

"i^he Inia^ itself, of the exterior of which the pencil will afford you the 
best conception,* ia full flue hundred mu\ ten feet in breadth, by probably as 
iiHich from the -Trout to the rear, and contains eighteen apartments, besides 
bathing and drcssing-moioR ‘ r whilst the arches beneath the bu ilding, which 
b thus thoroughly dry and ventilated tii its lower story w arc so large, that they 
have been converted into cellars, one of which f having a range of firoplncra, 
affords more canvemintly than the distant kitchen, u constant supply of hot 
water for domestic purpose*. 

In front of the huiiDc > separated only by the circular and grovelled path- 


* fwe illiiiLFiihan il the hro4 ut Letter L 





















acn.lL LIFE IS HFVilAL, 


°“ the north aide of the pm®, portly skirto.l |jy the pork and. garden 
ground*, ami -upplying nearly all that the Imngiuntioa could desire to 
render the Inaisrjt^ of t he place complete, is a remarkably fine, broad, clear 
lake gnircfhily wmdrng in n, com** for upward, of „ idle and a half in the 
form of a 1Wr*c-*hoe. The formation of this body of water into a lake Ul,,-. 
tniiea fine of the remarkable features in the rivers of Bmgid-the d™* in 
their course. This late was originally a bend in the Eclumnittee the force 
ol its stream during the height of the inundation, haring in process of time 
eut for itaelf a new and Sorter channel across the land wluch separated its 

ST*?? thllBj ^ new bed, finally left ,| 1B old CUm . ^ 

accumulation of deposit, to dry up tu it. two ends, and converted the darted 


tt’CLv, ^here the finishing little features of a sundial nml garden seats complete 
its neatii 1-^3+ ir a fine park, euutainmg above seventy aerr* of land, wh+Tetu 
between twi -ti ty atid thirty bentitiftd deer are bmuriug in happy security from 
the terror* uf hum and hound. One little favoured fmi bn* been made n 
|h.H lit by my fiwr hostess, and mains the bn lisp and visita its friends and 
kindred clh it lists. Tank*, in whieh turkeys geese, and dunks, seek their 
enjoyment, groups of wnmil treat of the B4bool kind, under vrhieb tlie deer 
bud rent at high I. and shelter from the mublny *uti p and wdbkept broad 
w in ding paths, shaded l>y niaipiifteritt rairmrind and Magnolia trees, nud 
el Haters of the Bamboo, leading ffrun the dwelling to the various Indies or 
gate way* and uut-uiUee*, diversify the park. 


mi un aid jwjrujLrt. 
























MtTLVlTH HOirSE AN U Its fcTfYIMVA. 35 


HJt -V ' jf wal<!r mUl fl WfC. The entires distinguish, a lake so formed from 
one of usual origin or shape by calling the former a Wr-whilst flic latter 
“ tcrm,,ri Wad. On reference to the little map of MuInatL ami its 
environs {very kindly given me by Major It. Smith, of the Survey Depart, 
mem , which accompanied myjtnrt letter, you w ill observe wvend Iiiki-a of 
sun liar form, all of which you may fairly conclude to have hail a like oririu 
111 UF-Hcrted ftinnnjifies of the changing, fickle rircr. 

Near to the Factory, the lake may be seen intersected act™* its whole 
™“ ■ - a ]tm S !,|le ot ‘ hnck pillars, which, during the iiDumfkttiring 

^asriti. support 1 wooden aqueduct, for the purpose of conveying water to the 
WO] & fram the river, with which the? further rmd t running aero™ the narrow 
<itt -nf land that separates it from the Like, communicate*. Simple ns this 
uqject may appear, its extreme length tuul tapering perspective, reflected in 
the culm hlue surface of tlio lake, at the margin nf which the white paddy- 
' , jut: seen stretching, dipping, and diving their long thin neck#, and all 
hacked by the beautiful verdure of the opposite sloping hank, and nu Indian 
sky, confer upon it those chums to the picturesque of which mere pen muJ 
ink delineation#, at; leant, can com-py to you but. a faint imprewiuu. 

At either side, where the lied of the lake k at the present *e*t*on entirely 
t ry, the aqueduct hiw been permitted tn remain, mid at this end is connected 
With a very ingenious structure, the Chine* /Wij>, which, almost embowered 
amidst overhanging trees, and altogether shut in by the dense foliage of the 
garden, offers n yet greater share of claim to the pictorial, 

Immediately in roar of the dwelling, extending beyond cither side, re¬ 
freshed And beautified upon it# northern imagin by the writer of the quiet 
hike, is the garden just re terror 1 to, occupying about four or five mires of 
ground, rich in every charm which the finest trees, rare shrubs, and the 
o nicest plants and flowers, disposed wir.b the greatest good taste, and tended 
with all the cure which one "who love a garden" and “a greenhouse too," 
can bestow upon it. Hi# efforts liflvo fortunately a good executive iti a very 
intelligent melee, or native gardener, whose little dwelling, dose to the 
aviary, near the northern entrance of the garden* clothed in n rich covering 
nf the ennvolvulus and elephant creepem, the quuytMtfis and the pnnfahter, 
ebums place amongst the picturesque object* til the grounds. The miilec Lv 
one nf that smart class of men who, having nerved iti the Hon. Company's 
Bnfsuiic garden* i D Calcutta, have acquired a familiar knowledge nf the 
Win nomenclature of the plants,-a knowledge which lie of iMulmith 
never fail# to sport on all occasions of inquiry respecting the plants under 

M\ kitjil frigid trgfvta that I did not arrive a montli earlier, when cer¬ 
tain beautiful ciwpcnw, that literally ■= liras id some of the tail trees of the 
ikfrta the emt side of the garden, m in full bloom; but 
beyond th\\ t ran imagine little wanting tn complete the full measure nf 
rlmnoA belonging to an Indian *pring. To the poor around, who are pourlj 































JiraAt UfK IN &irvn4x. 


clothed poorly liQiuiL'dj it h maier; but to the European, surrounded hy 
tlii- boiiotica of llmv^u atiil all jic^ilful comforts, it b ri ethereal tpxpg/’—n 
spring, Jc-t me fell you* pirat-utfujt no mmtt jrimlabip e.ycn to youm. 



fat atijiui, 


Imagine it early morning TLf nm—whose cheering warmth ia tin* 
waoeii by the pair, and rather courted than ah mined by ail—has just risen, 
and begun tu throw those “ lengthened shadows ” which, uniting the varied 
objectH of the scene, confer much of that beauty which "artists call 
“breadth of ttflfect’' over the butchcape, Two saddled horses are at the 
door, ami I am invited to a ramble about the grounds. 

But, first of all,—with the gentle Cowpcr,— 

Jl E«Mtl 

Wiih ft[ilit df atirmilf Hj5n*" 

feeling “ their happiness augment his own,”—some hundreds of little 
pensioner* on hit bounty claim the attention of my companion. A flight of 
probably two hundred and fifty pigeon*, that have their undisturbed um l 
upftcua™ dwelling on the roof of the conk-house, or kitchen, about one 
hundred yards from the house, arc ad van ring like a cloud, or suddenly 
dropping from the coni ice of the house, where they hare been patifutlv 
waiting the feast, swarm on the inwn around, and nestrlv envelope the little 
mem that tends them. One could almost envy the Mow the privilege of so 
much confidence. Nett, the deer, headed by the holder buck, timidly and 
cautiously approaching the trough, where one keeps watch while the rest 


























wilxatji Hors? uxo its exviroxs, 37 


r^>[] n tesesmn tliuir morning^ supply of grain. Then the rabbit-hutch is 
usited, mid tJ je jemadar, or khiiiihniiinn H receiver some fresh instructions for 
tbc- Mtmfort of the timid inmates; nr of the various fowl, rare or domiMticp 
lliat rove at pl^ime the spacious grounds about. 



tmw gnii^ nr. 


X cm—after wtitlyiiig our curing liy measurement, tliat the young 
Iifimlwo really doe* gmw «j inrht* in twenty-four hours— we mount, and 


WBOttjpaiiied—it fciav be, on bk pony—by the gormu-htoli* 
or head fittperinUmdent of the factory, who wishes to 
whow muster Home neighbouring fie! rig* which lie thinks 
merits early attention iit the approaching cultivation, we 
trot out of tlie park. The morning in lovely. With all 
the brightness of an Indian day, however the air is os 
fchnrp and bracing as yon would be likely to desire it. 
Unit ting the road, thick fur .sixteen;, miles leading to the 
market town of f hoyid-ii, Air. F—hfl* tendered a 
f helU riM path to thousands of poor pedestrians by having, 
right years ago, planted Torm-trtrs throughout its whole length. We pass 
through the picturesque village of Panchjmtha at the bead of the lake, and 
out into the open cultivated, fields, many of them lovely in their gram 
mantles of the Aloisum and! Siijrsafj or linseed and niustard efu|e« H the 
pretty little purple Hauer of the one Ijcauti fully harmonising with the 
rieh yellow bloom of the mustard plant, amongst winch it is sometimes 
seen mingling. This, like tile poppy among** the corn, b m accidents 
























ns 


EL'lLAL I., IFF IS HKNfi.IL. 


dnmjnstance, tike seed of i1i« mia having become roiled with the other 
nt the time of towing* Bath these plants tire generally mwu in the 



hi un ili uf October; and nil list the mustard is cut in BecemfeeTj or during 
the present month, ihr regular crop of liu^xd h not gathered In till 
abrnit Martin 




The Tobacco plant, also, which is esteu- 
lively cultivated all armmd Mulnatla, the- 

Htildee, or Tnnneric % plant, and the 

liri-ht jttrucn chiIli . 

on its slender twi<rs, are now 

in ftill growth, ^fy v and ready f UT 

iuiiiwg, Ju- kclml deed, the ga- 
thcriiij of the Udmec© hn& .'dread y canutieiicerf, of whirh we have near evidence. 


■ Il'.'WFZl, UB LL* 1 EB.LI. 



m itiui, fm 





























HCLNATII Ili.ir.-SL: AND ITS ESVlJiOVA. 


for the people of the nearest tillage, its cultivators, luring plucked the leaves 
hose very coolly, for better accnrity flake, spread them to dry inside the park 

grounds: bnt r 1 suppose, they know ike 
heart mi' the wittier, and can M safely trust, 
to him.” 

Now, the very horses^ 
snuffing the invigorating at- 
tuasphcrCj arcs impatient at 
reitmnt, and we go off a| 
a delightful canter, thread¬ 
ing the mucit of a little wm 
narrow path, about twenty inch** in breadth, that divides the 
various fields of ripe iohaeiHi, the golden muitftfd crop, or the more 
sober-lined lrhur h i\ species of pult*?, eitenj-mdy ti&ed in the diet of the 
natives; nr at once cRratting a fliuscu of other held*, stum- ploughed up, and 
some from whence the JecI, nr Sesame plant, 
an Oil ctny, sown in August and reaped in 
November, has but lately been eat, we meet 
the goma^btak who lias gone by some much 
nearer route. Reining up. a few minutes’ 
conversation the question of the field, 

rind at the same time the petitions or griev¬ 
ances (to which there is ever a willing ear) 
of same poor peasants having also been at¬ 
tended to-—-either settled oil the spot or 
referred to the otlire— we canter back in 
the direction of the north side of the lake* 
find approaching a enllcctiun of huts, sud¬ 
denly ride up a bank, and through a cluster 
of bamboo*, into a prctty-hK>king vilLage, 
where, to my surprise, on the ISrr-t occasion 
of my visit* out swarmed from n long but, 
or school-room, nljout one hundred little 
dark urchins* with pen* and palm leaves in 
hand, imd the school-master at I he head, to make their Flllmii to the Sahib, 
their friend and patron - 

My lLivstp ] find, is one of those * c Roger de Coverley " sort of persons in 
his principles of kindly relationship towards those about him, that bf Sieve I he 
bond of servitude to possess a mutual covenant—some little obligati on, in 
short j on the higher party bey o rid mere payment of wages ■ who, belie ring 
that Providence did not place him in his present position merely to make 
indigo, a ml burthened with a couseierice, fortunately buds the indulgence 
of its dictates not a meru duty, but a source of the highest pleafism. The 
lit tie assembly wo have just seen is a school which lie ha* crEfthlisfied for 














10 


HU It At, LITE IN liESCAL. 


elementary imtnmlinn, in the vernacular, of the childmi of the labours* 
employed in the factory, and resident in the immediate neighbourhood, The 
little fellow* exhibit consideraljie aptitude for learning, and, if L limy judge 
by the Loppy expri.^-itiu of their faces, nil less pleasure in its acquirement 



ThVe now proceed towards the. house* and entering the ground* from rho 
reap, or north-east Bide of the late, dismount at the .-tnbln*, the thatched and 
rustie etteriar of which coders a *ubtttaioMnl building of brick a i'll] wood, 
cou Luniiig a dun hi c Line of comfortable stalls for si \ totrti horses, six of which 
only are at present occupied. These having been duly seen, petted, or in 
acme way cured for, we walk ffor probably fifty yards farther) along the 
shaded pofh that loads by the riverside, And enter n large waU^rtriicd brick 
and timber building, with thickly tlmiehcd and ventilated roof. Tins Ls the 
male of Mul nnth Bcmpital, which my good hewt projected and built, 
partly at ha own cost, in tlie year lftllL Having done this, he applied to 
Government tp aid in its support. Tlih. the Government agreed to do by sup¬ 
plying medicines gratis, on condition of Mr. F-*s undertaking by guarantee 

Eo meet all other espouses* inclusive of half the salary of a native doctor. 

Government consenting to pay the remaining moiety. To all this _\[ r+ y _, 

plcged himself, and no farther time was Juc>t- The sendees of a native 
assistant Burgeon, on recommendation from the Medical College of Calcutta* 
were obtained mi a salary of one hundred roopces [afterwards increased to 
one hundred and fifty) per mensem. The Honourable Company supplied 
























virtir.iTn rrot'SE \\n its eyyihon^ 


n 


medicines and atugmal uuilrmricnt*, mid the liospital opened its doors to the 
siuk poor of n poputni ion, uu ihr Mtdnath property jdone, of fhlt two 



Hrwmjil.-MaVj W4i.ru 


limulrnd tlauu^aud pemuitry! When I toll you that up iu this time the 
Bearcat hospital aid on our side was in Calcutta, fifty-two miles distant nrn.ith^ 
ui]i3 on the other at flic- station of KHEiuagEiU], thirty-two uikln^ north, you 
w il] be ah]t- Ei 1 imagine the blowing thiiN conferred lrjjon the poor around 
Mukttfch. 

The men's ward contains twenty-four IjKxti*. nearly all of which tire 
occupied. Tlie disorder* most frequent amongst the juior of Bengal 
generally, to which the peasantry around this place, despite its salubrity, 
form no exception, arc fever, uplren, and dysentery* Exposure* poverty of 
ftKid, do tlilugj. and housings may In? named as the exciting enu^e* ; whilst 
the Lr impn u I cu t i irgleu t of early sym p to ins 1 1 u my sa ft ;ly say. tl ic \ anise of 
half the mortality in casc^ of cholera), delay in seeking help, in shaft, 
until their disorder has r *ainnl an a (mail it; head* arcutMita for the mbtemhile 
condition in which most uf them tirv. found when entering 1 the Llospknl. 
Surgical coir* yl-u. of very cansidt* ruble muguU udr too, are fmpicut; uml 
in this t]i- jhi rfrufi-iit,, the skill of the English-taught docinr mom [particularly 
elicit* the mnfidcuec and wundertnent of tlie tin educated natives, 

A bom twenty yards further on we come to the woaseitV ward of the 
hospital ; at out- extremity of w hich, partitioned off by n wnrn, tfit- worthy 
and skilful doctor, Dcciiom&tb Dlmr, alio generally meets u* in hi* tunnmig’fl 

0 





























IIULAL l.l L'n 1% Hi MJAI-. 


round, has Mb little lalMjmlory, or ^Tnpronctiiig tabic, bunk*, mntrnc«intd h 
nnd other material pertaining in Ills profcHuniml duties. 


BWliU-fTOl’l wjjui. 

Or, LVeiHiuath Blnir, who wag a nttuh-nt of tin 1 Cidruttn Medical College, 
aJii served 0>t vnn r time n> native ugiistint surgeon Lu the Bui tee territory, in 

n very pleasing specimen of the eduEiiteil 
native. l ie Img rmt become a C hri silo i i, but 
lie would, I h aspect, not be found very Car 
fmm it, if nnt tuin'oiiiuieii by thofte tram¬ 
mels by which all Hindi ms arc? fettered 
in their social condition. As it is, how- 
over* Ills good ecn&e ant! enlightened tiuti 
upon most matter*, enable film, without 
offence to Lib more orthodox friends, to 
see the grosser errors and siiperstjtioiis of 
In* father faith, and to avoid 
extnragamncs in hk own practice 
I bdtEtB, nan) 1 l*e fluid to he the midway 
eondilion of half the educated natives in 
Calcutta* Few people, indeed, can ima- 
puc tlie ordeal which a Hindoo convert to 
Christianity tins to undergo. He becomes 
both an inthetor and an indicted j and* if 
of tender heart, muni needs feel far more 
Batumi pL§rariTITW ltnr* r distress at the pain occasioned, St may 
























MO LSA.TJI IIQPSK INIS m EXVlHUtfl* 


13 


be to aged parent*, by his, in Ifttir opinion, otttr&geous apostasy, than by 
all the periiFfliiticiii be him hid f may puffier at the bonds of enraged anil zealous 
friends and kindred. 

Xiiw, with varied little euprefudunfl of comfort mid tmconrag^mcaU tu the 
poor patients nround h wliii-h my companion's familiarity with the Bengalee 
Language# (to those eurromidcd by tbe pensinitry of the land, tbe mmi 
important of tbe Ycniacuhn), ho well enables I dm. tu afford,—-Tie turn otit 
step* towards tbe Factory f and tbere leaving Mr. L 1 to tbe duties of bis 
office# [Lixjruiid which a crowd of officials and others arc waiting bis presence* 
I retrace my way to tin bouse, anil with my hkctch<-fauok stroll out into the 
fields# where, seated on tbe the lenient min permits iny renmioing# 

fearless of Iljp brains, though protected only by a white covered »iSL| j, until 
full eleven o'clock in (be tbremium Then returning# 1 rejoin my host at his 
tiliiee, from whence, after it visit to the Bake ry (for you may .suppose all 
domestia wants uf till* character are provided for at hnme)# mid a request to 
the skilful little baker tu indxdge uh with a hut roll or :-n hy nne o'clock* vre 
enter the garden, where, directing our steps to ilint jHirtion exclusively 
devoted to kitchen vegetable*, an examination is made of the success of its 
varied European exotic*, the potato, the cabbage the eauliUowcr, and. in 
abort, nearly all the nwnnl prod net ions of an Ivuglbh kitchen garden# which 
are thriving excellently ; - — biu#—oh ilear'me T—what havoc is this? Tbe 
mischievous deer, forgetful nf their u*ual reclusive and retiring habits* and 
clearing at a bound railing* and pi dings six or Heveu feet high, have in the 
night been here, and destroyed I know’ not how many thriving and aspiring 
props of green [teas I Well, albeit, the remedies are not past " tbe griefs 
ute ended;" the fence miL*t be repaired and raised, and some summary 
punishment inIbeted the next time upon the mischievoua faitruder—if 
caught. 

We uow enter tbe house—bathe, drera, and prepare for—breakfast! 
Yes, such are MohiMtil hour*—or, U' you prefer it, Midi the mime given r.> 
the mid-day# and by far the most acceptable meal (far it is now rmo cddoelt) 
common in Moiussul, or at leant in plainer life. The last is, that an earlier 
hour would nut, up a regularity, suit a planter^ habits. lie in frequently in 
the saddle from daylighi until ton, eleven, and twelve ill the day, and to take 
more than tho tmstomory and delightful e»p of tea or Coffey with a tritie 
of toast or bread and butter, which al five or six in the morning arc 
in variably p repaired, would no mure be fitting to the stomach before a hard 
ride of fifteen ur twenty mile*, than r^iiild such n meal be any snitablir n'pre. 
Heutative of the Nubstantial repost which is invariably ehuraeten^tie of im 
Indian breakfast, In five eases out of ion, however, if is probable that a 
planter's own breakfast partakes more of the character nf a tiffin or dinner. 

A keen appetite# after hard exercise, induces him to substitute the beverage 
of Bass err Allsnp for that of Pekoe or Sonehong, which, however, where 
there are ladies or guests* is of course# prepared. 























44 III' IE A L LITE IN BENGAL. 


Domestic Eton** or prmiidniii* in plan tor I ifi • you may* siippy^e are 
generally managed Hindi ns in {aimer I Eft 1 hx EtiglnutL. Livestock k kept 
on the grounds, vldcb also furnish ll large proportion of vegetables; whilst, 
at stated periods & ftemut w dcwpatobed to the dty + wliicEi is hukmtrd ou for 
such (ItdLoadrA ami fequmitoa ns neither the soil m*r thtt country are capable 
of furnishing. In muuj am-* f where there i* tit her want of Tnrniagement^ 
convenience* or mcuu*, which is more partieuliLrly likely to Ik> llie im 1 in out- 
fketarieSj where' probably baehelor-u^kHtant pluntur* reside,, live stock 
confined to flunks mid fowlBj wbieb T with such vurmtimi* only as their 
servant* 1 skill cun produce in the inode of cooking, form their invariable 
mum] food. 1 bare heard planters jestingly declare that they were ashamed 
to look a fowl in the face. 

Probably the more weighty difficulty lies here; that m no single man 
mnhl i Fit a whole ebtu p—and in a warm elinum- jni.-ut will not ktvp, during 
at leapt eight mouths out of the twelve, more than a day—it would be a 
monstronn piece of extraragance to sacrifice a whole animal to obtain one 
nieab The residue Could not even be applied usefully by u giving to the 
poor t ri for neither servant, unless [*i9$itily‘, oj*t umn* the low caste sweeper* 
nor needy peasant would touch it. It would literally he thrown to the dogs. 
To meet this dlEiieulty, therefore p some pi wit era residing cither near to a civil 
station or to emdi other, form what Lb called a " meat clnb. 1 * A sheep or 
whatever it inav lie, is killed upon certain dayi of the week, and the joints 
are distributed among the itibKtibert. 

Muinuth, with ir> npnciou^ gruitnds, perfect nmnngcmrnt, anil fine flock 
af rmrefuJIy tended sheep, in independent of this necessity for its supply of 
muUoii, —am) catuumiera are M-hlnm lacking—hut the article Ltrf offer# 
difficulties of fiti other eWacter, and can only be obtained here, as in all 
small an run unities or settlements—inclusive even of Chandeniftptin:, Chin- 
annili, and cithers near Calcutta—by recunrse to the city, or some adjacent 
civil station. The slaughter of iui ox amidst a Hindoo population, whose 
p<toiI will it Is an object with the planter to conciliate, and more particu¬ 
larly when the head servants of the factory are probably nil Brahmins, 
would, to say the least, be offensive to them : and in the event of the 
Ziuneondar Iteing fl Koaliu Brahmin, tlic alienee would he so capped that, 
independently 0 f good feeling in tlm matter, prudent* would not warrant or 
approve it. 

As to fish, though lacking the ddfenrira of the Tap*** muohk-e, (or 
niaiiKo fiat.) the Bhektoo and Jliisa, or (sable fish.) of the Calcutta markets, 
wlm h, however, arc not warning when- there are large tanks wherein to breed 
them, the lake here fiuTmhes a supply of several kinds of a small character, 
in particular the KnrtuHjla, a species of mullet, which is very palatable, p (1 [ 
the prwhnnt is tlie worst season, generally, for this almost invariable accom¬ 
paniment to au Indian breakfast table. The rivers are all low, same almost 
dry, ami the supplies, therefore, nre proportionately scanty, Ijoth here ami 



























MUL\ATH HOOKE AM LJ IT* UKVlliOTtH. 


i 7t 


elsewhere; for, although there arc at ills present time fewer alligatora— 
(whieh yi>n must know abound in the river here' the came cause which drive* 
them from their bccuh turned haunts—scarcity of water—dimiiiiihc* the stock 
of iisli also* 


Breakfast over, Hit 1 morning papery which arrive from Calcutta by eleven 
o'clock of the second day, iliseus&ed—for » while (unlike city 1 mbits I oil 
generally becomes quiet as night about the factory house. A morning** ride 
un two or three borees, of prolmhly twenty—possibly thirty miles [fat from 
au uncommon distance,] emi hardly be performed without farigm* in the most 
powerful, am! an hour 1 ! rest in not 3c-> accept able to recruit from past lal jours 
than to prepare for fresh—those of the mind and the pen. 



Hi HWUL 4k hi IM. 


Once again joining my lujat in a walk through the delightful garden, 
we repair to the factory, when*, npmi my firnt visit, a new surprise and gratifi¬ 
cation met my view. Entering a long room adjoining the olfiec, anil farming 
a a pure division of what is culled i lie " dry mg-room” the use of which you 
will understand by-aiul-bye, duly Liuug around with several large maps and 
other educational appliances, [ found my nr If in the busy bum of a school 
room, where upwards uf mxiy very respectable looking InrK children of the 
neighbouring nntiTEs, of the better ck&^s s wero roBciving an English 
edileariua, little inferior in 3t? extent to that imparted at the great institution*! 
of 1 'llIl'uUq. This is another of my excellent friend 1 * quiet means of uniting 
pcrsonnl gratification with the good of those around him. For upwards of 
sb years the affair* of the school „ dependent almost entirely on Mr, F- 'e. 































nr iial life in penoax. 


1G 


support ami encouragement, prospered beyond wbnl might Imu- Tjocil supprw-c] 
even probable succr-**. The service* of a clever ex-student of the General 
Assembly's Institution, iiml Item oh tab it'd ;ts schoolmaster, on a salary of 
sixt^ roupess per month, a laidcace provided for him on the premises, and 
the number of p Dpi I a nt one time amounted to upwards of one hundred bovs. 

Alas f that tin- l>li«bt sin mid have fallen on so fair imil promising n field 
uf fruitfulness. The unhappy disruption of affaire here, J have already 
referred to, threw everything into dianu-mlienaent The very hospital wts 
threatened with destruction; it survived the shock ; but the school, deprived 
nt once of all means of support, ceased to exist, and the benevolent project 
of its founder warned for ever to bo destroyed. 1 haver been greatly pleased, 
however, during my present stay, to find that by aid of tin- like indefatigable 
spirit that formed it, tlu-ro is a likelihood of its resuscitation. The return of 
the master of Mu I math was not, unhappily, necomjjutiiL! I bv u return of those 
mcaM that eonld restore things to their former condition'; but, a beginning 
cun he ramie, and wtflt will not an influential mind and a good example do 1 ! 
.Viready some thirty of tlie scholars have regnthrred together, and the worthy 
doctor, cur friend Deenoimth r>hur, catching the spirit of the place, to his 
great credit be it spoken, voluntarily devotes two hours every day to the 
duties of school hi an ter. Kin reward will be better than gold, 

Having spent, probably, half-au-hour in the school room, I now leave mv 
host to the afternoon duties of his office, and whilst he Is busily engaged inn 
task of pretty voluminous English-and Bengalee ivirrespondems against the 
evening post, for dispatch to agents and assistants, and listening to about an 
equal quantity directed to Zn unco lure I landholders j, gumnshtahs, and other 
native officials, wliich hi-t own assistants have prepared, after dictation, for his 
signature, I may ns Well tide tlie opportunity of mentioning what particular 
duties devolve upon tlie planter nt the present time. This may be briefly 
done ; for as they consist of the dull affidm of money and nectamts, I shall 
hml little of eiu entertaining character to dwell upon, 1 niav ifcmc how¬ 
ever, that whatever holidays the Planter ran afford himself c*n onlv w,|| 
token at the present season. Combining (rnmnca with pleasure, he visits 
Calcutta, where probably he manages to arrive in tune Jhr a Chrmmns or 
>cw W. dinner, and meeting with his friends : and where also the r.ro- 
, ° f lne l >(Lst niiinufaeturijjg having l fficn sent down before him 

he endeavours to effect favourable arrangements for its sale. H c takes the 
opportunity of transacting all necessary- busing matters, private and 
official, settling tmdcsfdkV bills, and arranging account* with agents and 
oi here for the past and coming season. This done, he returns to bis factories 
and there Ins time is occupied in settling accounts with the Tlvuts f or the 
past year, amlmniing advances for the cultivation of the present 

Beyond this --ns to how a planter may occupy liis time, how fill up the 
leisure permitted him at this, or any other period, iaa d there is frequently a 
great deal), I have already had some opportunities of shewing you, and may 






























KT7LNATH WPUSB ANU IT* EXViKOSS, 


luivt? more, Truly, on nxi during the position of a plnsi.ts-r r I do not know of 
nny, indeed, upon which it grefttcr amount of responsibility rent's or tt herein 
f*™ 1 an amount of good and evil are in the rbspensative power of a angle 
imlividrnd, making liiiu, in short, a blessing or a curse to the laud, and the 
mull it odes of people by whom he is siirroniidciL It ha not that he can 
perform mimcles. It is unE that by magic he can elevate the couditimi^ 



T1IB BCBUoLMilTB hi [MllLim 


pr trtnitbrm hi an instant the whole character of the people about him. 
None better knows than tinea a planter what favouring showers—what genial 
ftiui*—whnt enrt—what choice of soil—wlmt weeding, and what watchfulness 
ire needeil to bring to fruitful maturity one grain of that seed on which his 
hopes depend. Are the human and uncultured mind and heart more pliant 
than a grain of indigo? The mission of the European to India was nut 
to find n highly principled, educated nod enlightened people, but to aid in 
making them so. It is not that by any immediate act of his he can confer 
judgment, or honesty, or truthfulness, but that by his own stru t and 
cons is teat example of honourable and generous conduct, and hi* superior 
intelligence, lie will acquire and cicreiic that influence over the minds of 
the thousands around him which, though it may not Arjpvjf principle, at least 
diseottr^es the abuse of it, and by practical results cimvinrrs them that 
" honesty h the bent iM^licrj",,^ ami ignorance the mother of want, The 
supreme government itself exercises not a hundredth part of that influence 
ov^r the conduct anti lutppiness of the poor of this land that is in the power 
of mi indigo planter. In direct proof of this, indeed, and of how that 
influence, n -f ^bicll you have seen the direction here, was exercised eighteen 
























EUIIAL LIFE l\ HEM-ll-, 




4fl 


VL fc Eirs ngo, util nniy aver those immediately comuTtal with ;t factory, but the 
inhabitant# of a pure of a district, I have Ifttoh semi gratifying documentary 
evidence,:—evidence alike of the g£*nd which a nittfffe imiiridtml can produce, 
and of the rtfiht spirit in the Government which induced mi nlfiekl mi'Llupw- 
Icrigtnciit of it. 1 * 1 Assuredly t if u uian Imre the heart to do good a round 
him* the field is wide Ibr the iudulgcuoe of Lis wishes and ingenuity. There 
is no difficulty in dincovcriug the how and the where. But without any help 
fh>m invention, the act uni duties of his position — those arising from his 
eonuei'tiim m a kind of lord of the ninuur T with tin 1 host of poor around, 
will he sufficiently obvious and heat suggestive of those of n voluntary 
character^ 

Conceive, for ra ample, the hi line nee, for good or for evil, of a person in 
the position of my host in this place* a ml of his rcspoiisibility* not only to 
those amongst whom litr lives, hut to Ids country for fchi: i[ikph>.*ioi his 
cdliduct must create upon so large a Wily of people* The papulation attached 
to the Mnlnnth concern* which collectively might I.hj termed n district, is 
catimated at ul poue 200,O&J souls! To thi.*, the population uf another, the 
Katgnru concern. must he added, inch using the uuiubct to litile .-diurt alto- 
gether of two hundred and eighty thousands 

N11w T have the bulk of th<*c poor [Ecople, think you, any knowledge of 
out good Queen Victoria—of the Gti?iTiiar -0 cnml—the tlapoumblti Court 
of Directors—the Supreme Council—the Chief Justice—or hitherto, even 
the Magistrate of their district? No more tluin live pitmen of Sunderland 
have of the tJiurcr of Cuubool* or tin- WiUcc of Kholoom or Balk f—Yes, 
they may have heard of Mr magistrate , certainly, hr who lives at the distance 
of thirty-tire or forty miles, in the midst of a district embracing an area of 
three thousand square ndics containing upwards of a million of people 3 and 


* Tike 1ElitiLisjtlit rt-fiirpeiJ Id, rDiiti]imi3 ** ^intirl Croftt Ibt CnHimaEuiiuDer '■ GfUirra] PulLm Er^rt Eq 
GuVcm nii'ii [ buLisjc kj ilJuitnilLMj: rtf *hat Inli bii-n fuKiiu-cJ r Eeu^lti E^IUjEjuCiijd. It Miauw]rtlgti 

Ibe LmprovEil *m« uf * |utrt^utir |urL at Ibr N iU4w 4iilrirt, *m fr-J-ttiiii fcrLcrkl IttlflHgiby Ut If L -a3tl. 

11 Nil mill While hu»l tosm jilm-ril lu clmrgt* ■►f Mr. I. F— p and ptuci na Lu iCiEr — 

11 IS,— TIk lure ofrniilaj mumatiutr. Mr. HaLkitl, 1-1 mi-cifuiiiimtcd to me jicfiutmlljr lint liurr Mii f 
jouuf ijfijitleajiu luul teen fiiei vhvtv be lit** he had bj Lb, tmLWi pat muuur »q.| hsrjrrtlj af 
ninJijH, mb much UnLuiLimlcJ tLc rr^iml L|>n (llliire* fttMKit him, lint wiujilnilltil in Ifci* euurt, nbirb 
Fnwi* to bii wnni pqmrraiw, toil uaw Tjj rad, ^ucliw aiut pr*ux had sut'd«deJ to 

tmnuqj eeJ 

] B.—1 liirfi W*d JcJ ia mriiLhatt thr. fcbotis, Im^-iun! Il Ii'DlU Ut itaw Lo* imirli vt «il tnnj 

rrilill trurn I hr Illinr^rfcbtJ htl ■ If ini ur ia th? eTOTltl7 of Emaptu Urltub **hpr\% Hill brrnitM it il 
l^brbUrljr fud^liK Id biji lu brief Id Liu- tihtirt wf (kiifertuHCet our mlau- p»d wducl 

h» [irndnn^ *Mrb besj*iSniil rltrrii witbis the iphin *A }ui i uflueiirhr,"' 
t Tlir Mnlnnih mnrrm i nrhiulc* Uin fullci^jn^ fkclnrit:i : — 


?i!litlj[llb 

□h'-tiIl. 

Faniiiebinirii. 

blhll-K'y.ii i 1^1 re. 
ChlLti[jiiU»lt_ 

IVporiK KnJpt. 


Jjtfoor, 
ikuii|/nuL. 
Ou«njfiJ»qqir. 
GjnHi. 

i>JUUI6. 

JliioilqjKjqr, 


t'ijaniijjrca. 

tCi]jii_;urrJL. 

I luiiOlIvtj. 

Pfi'prppckiii!. 

M,rxuji 4 ifE_ 


M Lip>Huti|Li 1 i ILP- iM-j.BTfl Tlir Kntflarq. 


I JlLlJuu^ . . Ql.ljti 

A wmz 

Alereprfnf ii litllr: r I in IT 

UlLLIL lilt- XQ 1 hoaMH. 


•^iJUTPn 

llL» iili|r-:i fit fiyjludtfc 


IEiIiJ’.HpI , , . , 
.' ] LMtm ini.l nN . . 


AQ, 07 A 

43 . 7(11 

73 ,SM 

























MlLNATH A Ml ITS. VMlUOTiB. 


40 


till V Ismu usiy conception of him by bis representatives, ar delegates, she 
ihirogn anti hi* police myrmidons, whose visits iUey regard and dread suh 
tbose of banditti, they mint flatteringly suppose him to he sonic mounter 
Sawney Bean, or Ilobin Hood—a kvier of blackmail on the poor and 
helpless J 

Of late, however^ 1 am happy to be assured that some uf the magifttrates, 
during the cold season, generally take a tour through the district, in order to 
ftumharize tbe people with them And gain their cuidblenee. TliL* is well; 
liiib surrounded by their T-'mluh, or offiriul*, and police follawra, it is 
believed that tbe poor are tit present kept at as great n distance, ns though 
the magistrate had remained in his Cuehary.* No,—to be known and nsidiil 
tu tbe poor natives, people mtLst by them, a# the Muuiionarv and 

the Planter can be, and arc, Tbe only great man will* whom the poor 
people here are familiar is the Sahib of thf N'rd Koine-r—he who, living in 
the midst of them, is erjmc-nt-abks who sees them, talks to them, whose 
stirrup-iron umukt their very crop is the only step requiring neither fee 
nor bribe, form nor favour, nor law process, between them and justice; lie 
who, with kind words and equally kind actions, encourages tbeir confidence 
and wins their gratitude, and by the equity of his own conduct, and impnr- 

tiaEty of his judgment in deciding disputes ai._-t themselves* rrinmis 

their attachment and respect, and confirms bis author tty. Indeed, as 
touching bis mediation in their ow n afhiiis—in all matter* not very serious, 
in disputes about land—family property and violence„ bn may he characterised 
as judge and magistrate, and, from his positinnij and opjwrt unities rightly 
applied, fur more m, in truth and effectiveness, than the paid one. 

My experience cannot, of course, enable mo lo assert that this picture is 
realised tvrry whir?* I can only my it is so hcrc f and in tmis or two other 
factories I have visited, where the example and authority of those at head¬ 
quarter* exercise their healthful Influence- It ran, And it should be realised 
everywhere; mul where It is not, I would only observe it were a pity that 
tnun rtbuixld prosper, or bis field* yield their itic reuse, who so disgraces Ins 
country, and dishonour^ Ids responsibility as to abuse tbs* trnM i'omimtlrd to 
bim. 

This littlr- com nm alary tijjon the moral duties of my host ended, you 
TiniHt suppose evening to bare closed in, when 1 again stroll to the office. 
Tk lighted toper shews the work of senting to be in hand, and a little 
bustling hnw-kggcd tnnn, with n long staff and girded loins, is waiting to 
receive the letter budget; with which* at lost provided, be trots off a distance 
tif live mile* to the post-office station and village of Boning, from whence 
the Eastern poet, passing in the night, or early in tbe mamiag, conveys it on 
to redentta. 

The labours of the day ended, we bow return to the house, where a 
bright coal fire form* no uu welcome addition to the com furls of the evening 

* Duuri {wmriUss^i ipdf ]io'rbrni]. f Nttl luui«—Ciidico boiSW ftetorj. 

u 

























so 


ELC.' Il.i. 1, II FE IN flEXQA L- 


dunicr, Tim —1 mean l he fire—wo* at one rime? a rare feature even m 
Calcutta life, tlifnigh of late the introduction of fireplaces into the city 
dwelling ha* very properly neared to he u novelty; but in the Moftwault 
where the atmosphere at this season i* probably several degrees colder, 
acid the building mom Exposed to wind and damp* they bceome mdhqMmsftljle 

^ lliiuur over/—the disposal of evening at Mulnuth* as elsewhere, depends 
on &ca«m and civcumltnnecB, Al tho^e holiday time*, principally m the 
month of Getpljer* when friends, Beiziug the opportunity, fly tnmi dcrib 
and offices to the delightful relief of a week 1 * riant to Mofussul friends, 
Mulnntlkj you may erappoao, kos attract torm of no ordinary kind, and willing 
visitors in no ordinary number, In ith farmer --tate. I have heard vi more 
than twentv guests ln?ing entertained nnd housed under its hod-pi 1 able ruoL 
At such a time, then, with various minds ta pleasc 3 the billim'ii-table, 
among*!, other Bourns of amusement, would ho drawn upon ; but at other 
periods the billiard-hoard, —which like 11 the rod, the gun, the turf and chase/* 
that form the usual recreations of most city and Mofusaul gentlemen* Isos no 
charms for mv host—is uiithongtit of; and m therefore, with the quiet 
resiJUiTEhs of social converse or the library * passes our Mofussnl evening, and 
with it all that 1 can suppose likely to interest you connected with u rrAd 
weather or spring day at a Factory. 



















MUfcM IF* UIlWTrMl LIU, 


LETTER III. 

Mutual^ January 

Mt present trip to Muluath baring as I mentioned, been id same 
measure connected with n sanitary object, it i* hat proper l fdiouhl report 
progress as I think it would be doing an injustice to Moftuaul life not 
fully to declare all its chums to our regard. 

After the utuil wearisome bout journey, I arrived at Sookidigor at ten in 
the morning, and there found everything hail been in readiness for me since 
daylight;—servants, tea and toast, and a Imne in saddle. So hastily partake 
ing of the temperance * ( stirrup cup/ 1 and strapping a change of linen to my 
saddle how, I mounted, at id with a splitting headache, which had been my 
companion fiini^e the preceding day, rode off. ** A promising begin iiiiig — 
motho light — for ft ride of iwenty-two nulca;" but former experience hud 
nut left me without hope. 

The first stage of about nine mile*, to a 3 d arc called Nuelee p with an 
unahatedly racking head, and through a blazing hut nun, appealed fifty miles 
at least ?—hut reaching Nuclee, 1 gathered cmirngCj there observing the 

- 9351 —-- 













Ill'll \h LIFE I* bT.sn\h. 




second horse ty be my old fitvanritr ^Tobv/*—u very pleasant yinimil to ridt\ 
Toby was fresh, rind breaking from the Syce's hold, almost ere I hnd 
m minted, went off at a pace which evidenced tho knowledge tlmt be wur> 
home weird bound. Now, [whispered hope,) this will break the hu:ti:hu , hi\—As 
though it had been a fiend, however, tiunt would rend ere it departed. the 
First two miles became almost insupportable. 1 fell as though I ebutibl drop 
from the saddle 1 Summoning heart, however* I again urged forwent* when 
sit the eml of a third canter—-each a terrible effort—hope revived-—the horrid 
tension of the brain begun to relax, and pains in the 3 Lead to abate. T was 
in the middle of a fourth canter when, to uiv surprise, I came in sight of a 
buggy, which with that conridewticui that Llid nut surprise, had been sent 
down the last four miles of the road to meet me. So, relinquishing Toby, 
by this rime looking as (bough he bad been driven through the river rather 
thou (he sun, I jumped into the buggy, Bud with a loquac ious old Syce at my 
aide, drove off to Mulcintli, which 1 reached at three o'clock in (he afternoon 
—haring been in the saddle about five Ijulic*. 

A hearty welcome, and then f what would I eat^ and what would I drink, 
and wherewithal would 1 Ik? comforted?* were answered with a request for 
ten and bread, Thene and a bath wereaJl that was wanting:—the huad-ache 
had va n ished E 1 was as thoroughly cured a* though I had been under 
loedictd treatment fora mouth—mid Toby had been ruy doctor, Ho you see 
1 was not intending to entertain you witli the diary of an invalid* 1 ' but 
simply to illustrate the value of MofumnJ life and habits, that in place of 
drugs and potion substitute ftesb air ami \ igorous exercise— 11 whdk u is the 
old Roxburgh Laird said) arc fur better than & F they doctor's stuff* 1 M 
Pcrhnp*, also, it afford- 1 ? no unfair application of a guod moral. Hud a coin- 
comfortable roadside inn proffered the temptation of a noting-place, the 
rt mft!nilcr of my journey might never have been completed — ur my cure 
delayed for a month! It Is often fortunate for us when vt axe irrevocably 
committed to a good tiling. 


Bran entering upon the subject with which T had intended principally tu 
occupy this letter, 1 must tell you that T have just puid a visit to the civil 
station of Kishnaghur; and as it furnishes one or two features in MufumJ 
life I may have no other opportunity of mentioning, 1 may as well tell yon 
all T bolw* My visit was hut brief, and therefore but little was afforded me 
either to see or to speak of. 

An iimUtkm to Mr. F-and self him L>r, A-to spend a day or 

two with him, having been accepted* a few changes of linen and other 
matters requisite for the trip, were packed up. and in charge nf a khidimitgur 
inr table servant) aiacl a bearer, sent off during the night (for want of a 
mil way] upon an elephant. Between eight and nine in the morning we left 

















n ink m n □ a n o it ■ fa cron \. 




Muhinth in n buggy, ami hiring driven the fir#t three mile* to a picturesque 
and sheltering grove of Mango trees, we there found our hornes, which had 
liceri sent ok At 4in curly lionr, waiting for us. Sending on the buggy-borae 
to Kishnaghnr by the syce, or groom, we here mounted, and with as lovaly a 
morning as one could desiro — a delightfully bracing breeze* and a picturesque 
country, we started on our journey, and after what n City man. At hast terms 
a good bard ride, reached BftgAdaiqguhp sixteen mile# from Mulnnth, at a 
little pasfc ten o’clock* 

BflgAdingnh i.s an out-factory of the Muln&tli, concern, where* albeit wc 
hart no host to receive m, wo found a very comfortable bungalow, which con¬ 
tained just enough of furniture to meet all the real wants of a traveller—a 
wpU-but lower roomed dwelling of brick and mortar, with a thick thatch 
rtwjf, such, no doubt, altogether a? would have realized to the mind of the 
poetic artist, Blake, his "-'thatched roof of nw*\\ gold/* Here, also* the 
exterior ground* upon all shies exhibit the improving taste of the ruling bund 
of Muirs ad], U roves of trees, planted seven or eight years ago, now alike 
beautify the ground#, and afford shade, shelter, and comfnrf to :dl about the 
place. 

The two Servants has! arrived* of course* long before ns; and so, having 
enjoyed the immediate luxury of a bath ami change of dress* we sat down to 
a most acceptable plain breakfast of hot toast* eggs* and tea, with such zrst 
and appetite as exercise never fails to furnish. 

An oul-factoiy% 1 should here inform you* is simply a branch of the 
greater or licad-quartere' factory Yon tniy already have observed that the 
eiiU.ivalion Irelonguig to one concern, m in this of Mulnalti here* may extend 
over distant and large quantities of land* or be Kcparatcrt one part front 
mother by other cultivators* which is generally the case to a vety great 
extent. lienee, in either cose* you will sec the necessity of bo extensive a 
concern lttdng divided into separate mEmageuicnhs which arts plated mulct the 
control of assistant planters* Til© cultivation requires European supervision, 
mill when I mention that the plant* when cut* rapidly spoils, yon will further 
nee the impossibility of the produce of a large concern being gathered and 
carried to any one meumou centre (a distal ice of possibly tiiry miles ■* even 
were it convenient or practicable to carry on so great a quantity of operations 
in one place and [it otic time, Diit-fhctorins therefbre, are necessary to which 
the produce can early and readily be earned* and in each, at the nmnufactur- 
ing season, an Msistant generally resides* If he Ikt n mam I man, which 
for every reason is must dcrindile- — it terms bia established i ionic ; if a 
bachelor, lie is free to mam from place to place, as the inspection of hi4 
cultivation* m all other than the manufacturing and rowing times. i% all that 
is generally required of him. 

Making BAgidangrth n half- way resting-place fur homes, sermuts, nnd 
ourselves* we there remained for the day; and tlmt is the manner in which a 
planter or other Mofanmlite travels id ion t the ©tamtry,—not quite so tmpirtly 



















nrn.YL LIFE IS BENGAL. 


5 l 


il* by n railway tmurii, but J think far mare agreeably. You must not 
suppose, however, that a planter** ridr* are confined to sixteen miles a-day, 
for when necessity demand*, no rare thing at certain season*, they extend, 
by aid, of course, of Furious horsey to thirty, and even forty milesi in a day. 

The next morning, *cn ailU and traps being sent on as before, uuj 
travelling operations were repeated, and crowing the river by ferry-boat, we 
resumed our ride towards Kivhrmglrnr, a distance of sixteen miles further. 
Reaching a ferry lsL a place called Hanskilec (meaning the duck stream), we 

there found a large bhoutiya, and learnt tbit Mr* II-. the well-known 

indigo planter of the firm of II-and Vi - 1 bud just landed and gone 

on towards Kkhruighur. So having crossed the horse*, wc remCftmted, and 
overtaking his baggage elephant on the rond f —whereat, taking fright, my 
•toed had wdl-nsgli L-fr. me in a ilitdi,—galloped on at n pace which soon 

brought us into company. Mr. li-, who was riding a beautifid linrmnli 

pony, appeared to have paaacd that time of life when hard riding linn any 
charms, and therefore the remainder of our journey was pursued at a walk. 

The approach to Kiahnagtinr, which is exceedingly pretty and woody, 
early indicates proximity to European city or town abode.—A beautiful 
avenue of Teak trees, shaded a remarkably fine smooth road, which at con¬ 
siderable length narntB, and then passes through a native haw, and under 
one of the must picturesque and vcm rable looking gateways of Hindoo 
architecture I have ever semu It is a quadrangular building, or tower, now 
mouldering into ruins, pierced at all side* by corresponding niches, which 
original ty all possessed gates of massive aud very claim rule ly though 
grotesquely carved and studded wood. It would appear to have formed the 
outer tower or entrance to the Raj harry, the palace or remdeuce of the 
present Mabu Rajah Scerk Chinnier Roy. Facing beneath the south arch 
of this budding, and along a yet extensive well-kept road, we fairly entered 
Kishnaghur, and I, for the first time in my lift, a ciril 4 tfutfon* 

A civil station, I need hardly say, is jsu called in contradistinction to a 
military one ; and contains those court* and offices of fiovernmrut with tlu ir 
CiMtbwuriss, that are distributed over the land to administer its laws, civil 
and criminal, and regulate it* revenue alfhim 4 

There is, Grnt of mil, the Judge, generally called the eirij end serious 
Judge, a fir*l grade civilian* ilk court is what is called an Appelate Court ; 
—i!hut is, one to which dues of appeal from the decision of lower courts are 
refi md. He trie* oil civil eases wherein the documentary evidence is in the 
English language, or such others, not involving claims beyond 5,000 Roope^ 
a* are Appealed to him from the mfcridr courts, and pjj cases of a criminal 
diameter occurring within bis district, which probably embraces an area of 
from three to four thousand square miles. He him the power of imprison¬ 
ment within the period of seven yearn, over all but British-born Ntibject^_ 

wha^e cbws arc transferred to the Supreme or Queen's Conn yf Judicature 
of Calcutta by the committing magistrate. 






















A CI.VTL ItLTlOJT* 55 


1 liis privilege &q justly and dearly valued, so tenaciously guarded, waij a 
ft 1 xv years buck, when its safety wrifi threatened by some proposed enactment, 
tike subject of one of t lit? most popular excitements perhaps ever known in 
Calcutta, and led tu a great public demonstration sit our Tpwii Hall—since 
reiiien l Ijered as tl uj Bfack-tict~ Mi ■t nj//, A sort qf compromise was made. 
Tin? power of the judge in civil eases w r os confirmed, hut the more important 
Emil objectionable clause, that dFcethg cri minnl prosecutions ami personal 
liberty of the subject, was withdrawn. 

lou may oak—why all this?—shmild not justice be cveo-handed to all? 
Assuredly,—and 11 sauce for the gixsse should be smice for the gaiuh-rfor 
which reason the answer u —let men be tried by their pee re. If a* ron- 
qiuaViiQ, iiLhil fulou, civil izern and teiu^tEi, we assume to ourselves superiority, 
tlien bring up the pupils to the standard of the tutors; do not depress the 
higher to the lower, 

1'or this to be nudcretoud p 1 need only inform you that the criminal law 
in use in our Mofittttd Court* is tlie Mohummittitm Ltiw< In civil ens^ a 
European tuny probably obtain as fair a judgment in a Mofussul Court as in 
the Supreme Court of Calcuttaj because, however nmch greater the danger 
of false witnesses, he at least tones none of his legal or civil rights. I lia mnv 
is tried by a laud of universal equity law, diveiled of much of the 
technicalities of our Judicial Courts, and hentu simplified; in which the 
fiocial usages of all parties, Christian, Muimnamudmi. and Hindoo, are 
tircESFarily respected. It is not so iu a criminal prosecution, in which the 
Christian would lose the privilege of that much prized institute. Trial by Jury, 
He would be tried by a single judge, assisted, it may be, by his Mobumumdan 
Law Officer, 

■When I apeak of the greater danger of false witnesses, I refer to the 
facilities which MofuEsid life offers fur suborning *iieb. independently of 
the smmher of people handed together in one interest, there are no sharp- 
witted counsel to eroas-qurstirw their evidence. The English witneas-box 
of our Supreme Court has, no doubt* terror* peculiarly iu own* 

Next to the judge is the Collector r whose duty it is to attend to tho 
collection of the revenue, and to enquire and decide resecting all questions 
that may arise relating to the revenue and the holding of hinds. In what ore 
called Principal Stations there will be found n Commiwrmrr —a gentleman 
who takes precedence both of judge and collector, and has the supervision of 
all revenue affairs, and also possesses judicial power* to try eases of a 
criminal nature referred to him by the magistrate. To the commissioner, 
aho, appeal cases lie from orders of magistrates respecting lhe removal and 
employ of native Umiak or executive officer*. 

Then we have the Nitghtmt?, who in some large districts us orbited by a 
second, or what is called a Joint Magistrate. These are followed by an 
Amitmti to the Mttfftitrntc, one learning his duties, and somrtimes doing a 
little work in tike office of the collector. His services are applied to 



















Ml tttUAL LITE IK nEKGAL- 


the disposal of petty eases referred to him hj those officers. All ihc^e 
are civilians. 

Of the native jtiitieifinefl there is, first uf nil, tho Principal Sulkier Amtrn; 
in other words the native judge. Sudder signifies chief, (uni AtnSi.li ft 
comudsBicmer, umpire, or arbitrator,—ait office which is sometime* held by 
talented European or Eufetliidtoil gentlemen, possessing a thorough familiarity 
with the language, manners., and customs of the natives—qualifications which 
are of course essential for ail placed in judicial nuthorny over a people whose 
minds it is &o requisite then roughly to know before being able to understand 
the mine of their evidence, and the Tiiriou* mid peculiar inffuences which 
bear upon their conduct. The Principal Sudder Amrcn is a Civil Judge 
only, and in his court are all case*, however important, m the first place 
tried. In the event of dissatisfaction with his dechdou, appeal, as already 
observed, lies to tlie civil judge ; but in the event of the claim amounting to 
a greater sum than 5,000 Ttaopeea, the appeal is transferred to the highest 
East India Company** Court, called the Sudder Dtunny M in Calcutta. The 
salary of a Principal Sadder Ameen varies from GTO to 800 Ituopecs por 
month. 

The Sadder .1 ttwru is owe having a miru.ir authority and jurisdiction to 
the Principal Suddtr Ameeu, 11 is power to adjudicate ex tend* to eases not 
involving sum* greater than 1UU0 It^pe-e*; obavc tlmt amount, hut under 
htX)O r they must l*e decided by his superior. The salary of the Smhkt Arntm 
is about 400 Us. per month- 

Thu Deputy Cofkrior may come next. The office of Deputy CoBecfor was 
riu appnintment originally created by Lord Ben thick, for the purpose of 
bestowal on native* of the country. Hence it ia in the majority of cases, 1 
imi told, held by them : but in fume instances by duly qualified Europeans 
or East-Indian*, not in the covenanted employ of the East India Company, 
Appeals from the authority or derision of the Deputy Collector lie with bis 
own superior, Occasionally this officer h invested with the powers of a 
deputy magistrate, This is sometimes a measure of economy, tuid at others 
adopted with the view of promoting a speedier dispensation of justice. 

The DepuSy libcwfac, is generally, but not invariably, a native 

officer. 

0™ rmire Judicial functionary and the Bench in complete. This is the 
Jfoonstf—a petty judge, whose authority is limited to suits for claims within 
300 Hooper*. If above that sum* the suit lies in the Court of the Judder 
Aineen, and appeal*, also, from the judgment of the Moonsif, are made to 
th.it officer. All these gentlemen have, of coarse, their courts or offices^ and 
several establifthments of native Umiak and assistants—writers, peons [>r 
messenger*. 

Though liLKt named—vety fiir from beinp bast esteemed or i alucd by the 
residents—is the Doctor who i* a mltiartf servant of Government, in 
mcrhcal charge of, not only hi* Mow Government officials, but the jail 




















A CIVIL IHATHW. 


5 7 


inmates, To thriHu duties it is very probable be adds tho» of some other 
branch of the Ht'ryire, as in the case of our bust of Kishnaglmr, who is dio 
Postmaster Hegistrm* of Deeds—Inspector of tin College, nod JSnpcriuU-u- 
<knt of tiie River Tolls. Wien [ tell ran that tin- tallage on tin* middle 
nwr> alone yields an annual income, at a rough calculation, „f *W two 
Lacs and l« f 000 Roopnca-tlmt is ,€21,800.—and that the mimW rf 
[mymg tolls h, said to Ik about 80,000, you will ki able u> form «*nc idea r.f 
the extent af tralTjc on our Indian rivers. 

Rut to my subject. To tlie dvil station, then, an the near^t and only 
place of appeal, have till alienees, grievanetP, ;uul dispute* uueurriug for 
forty mRcs found, to be referred—so that, when to the usual “glnrious 
uncertainty of ihv law” and its delays, is added tin- yet greater eril— lIjc 
comipliuii id all the native rliaunek of approach to the tribunals, yon will 
not wonder that the pour wound ho freqnaollj prefer either “ first losses,” or 
investing the planter with all the powers of judge and arbitrator in then* 
nnmenmi disputes, in place of the miecnis loss of time oecnsioiieil by a 
(mipsir to tilt- civil station, and stoppage of nil lLoir little industrial affairs. 



UalltfUT uvnill'l ■tSWALKte. CptlUailDB. 


Just jiA wc Imtl entered the station wir were met by Dr. A-- and 

Mr. A-- p the? nMstant magistrate and t?oik t eiqr l in a buggy, Thu former 

had imfurtiinatcly n jurival a pmflwiopai » mm non*. to attend a lady patient 
eighteen miles tliitaiit^ and wins therefore, under the uctM£$iiy of equiroit- 

us to tii«:■ care, for llmt dny p of hi* young friend Mr. A-* to wEichi* 

bungalow acranliiigly we repaired, ami by whom firry jmsaiide attention 
was shown to m. 




























BUKJuL Lilli IN BEN !■ A l, 




Though anc bungalow diffkra little from another in itn external form, 
it* intomol ftimngtfueiil* nrr nf course tif frailer or le^ comfort 

and eoiiTcnirneep nccording to tlie mean* and wanto of its inmates ; and hero, 
therefore, with vomethiugcf the appliances of city life aval bide, a bungalow 
being a constant reside nn? p need lx little inferior, us to itn interior furnishing,, 
to the usual N jnii’kiih Iiqubcb,’' cl* ordinary brink ami roofed hnildin^ft are 
termed hi India. Of tint latter kind arv tnc^t of the houses in KL^maglmr, 
and very n™t ram/urtable^ looking dwellings the whole of them mipearetl 
to be, 

KULmmljur i* r indeed^ a ddigliLfii] plaer, and fur salubrity beam iiie very 
higbwt reputation. The only fault I can find with It in that, ns n *ttitjoiip it 
is no very straggling; but as this only affords each dwelling a %idctr range of 
ground mid garden, it h barely a fault after nlL There is a lmud*onie little 



niiaikTmu riiii!:n. 


dmrcli, of which the Key, Mr. Inn!** is the minister. tmil a Gmemmcwt 
Cailngc under charge of Professor Rodiford.t where about 400 ntuclcuts 
receive a similar courts; of education to that imparted at the Calcutta colleges. 

Kishi.nghur also boasts a park, a truly beautiful English-like p|, lw . 
The centre is a mce-coarse, whilst plantations of magnificent Ti-nk trees, 
militated originally by order of Government, ami the SifWa also, enur- 
where meet the eye, ntul skirt and embower the paths, which an- indeed'n 
BucL’i^sicn of shady grtnm 


* Nw n&M) tin Uew. Mr njTWQ, 

+ SnbKijiMHLfj Ui ili& malt bra drtttlM, n up* ro%* r npmikd Eb tbe drmnD-- Lli ti*™ 
trtrlH. af wbtcli Mr. A. Jrmilb in Hr ppctcoi pnrrifrcL 


















AIBIIjUaiTCJL 


I must m, ft omit to notice al*o the bttk l>,ik btn^olmr which L, here 
uiuiLil the hrat mI those atagiiiG L'amimienri alrcjuly spoken of, with which 
we have met hi this MofWl trip. The KiMm^r Lostdry pos**** more 



hJ.tlE>J.lii!|-| I uLLeuj. 


Lbm ordinary duLnu to attention. It has a resident htat—n \my isml J 
intelligentj, active little man* to hose greatest declared pride io iJ give 
sotiafiictiuii to liW traveller*, ^ That he succeeds^ in nbrnidnntlv home evi~ 
driLue to by the iimuiutTufalc testimonial* eon tallied in it very original anti 
^rdnlly guarded collection thereof- — frurn the brief and sober assurance of a 
judicial or other grave functionary, that_ 

* to* ifellJ JuttauEsi. IT* guilty ti irfifej- af pniito j"— 

down to like jateniie, hey-day, aftor-duunr dedamthm of an Bmigu Pop- 
kLsson, that— 

rt Prf*f l-« ftfcfcl" 

JAilwcntal to in the very poetical effusion of Mr. Cadet Brown* who deduw, 
" rriiMB I'tiif wbcTmf r gu. 

Aid wYwvji c[H'al of Lb Util bunjrwlrm ; 

If L aliTttj a peii fiMtii jit*l u guod u lie gii Pij . 

lu tiilLh r iball #ti j Q % fat-if 1 tfra | " 

The Doctor returned from hi* patient Lin* foilowing moriiiiig, and in the 
course of the day p timunpE other pluc^ tc acoonijurnii'd hun in his cnstti- 
rcusrv lisif to the jail. Here irerr confined upwind* of -ISO primmer *—wmu 
fur debt, hut the majority for criminal offences, fmm the higher crimes of 





































IKULll. LIl'E IN BENOAL. 


00 


murder mud ihuxnty, down to petty larceny and assault. The greater number 
uf ill esc men worked in irons upon tin} road. On entering the great ward, 
where nearly all lilt! prisoners an 1 nt liberty r though most uf them in iron*, 
we were cautioned tu keep thine together, for ELlthungh a mo»L kind creature, 

Dr, A-Jjncl not much confidence in these nuhappy people. This luuka uf 

the majority of them, I moat etavfw, were not in thcii favour* either m to 
tliat intelligence which would fellow of their rightly weighing a. grievances 
real or imaginary* nr thfet di^pwiitirm which would create any hesitation im tu 
revenue* The murder of juior 'Sir, Richurd*oiij tile inngi-Htnitej in the 
Alii pure jail of Calcutta* a few years hack, hy the native convict?* there, 
and muljacqueiil a^nidt upon Mr. Snmnef-i in the $misc jail. fire *uffi?iniL 
itf nitrations of this. 



Enansc^li lirn nix rmqiuir. 


After visiting nearly every part of the jail, and the Doctor having 
inquired into every little want or grievance rdhmH.1 to hint by the pfkwrs 
tftstcil their drinkrag water—examined their rico—and attended to sundry 
cither little matter* afTecting their Hiatfurts, wc came away. 

Completing two very pJeasanl day*, we bade farewell to the good Doctor 
ami our gtntlnimnly yi.umg liu-u Mr. A —-—- t and comiueuccd our journey 
hack to IhlgililniLgwh f which* sifter a ride rjf only aoc hour and ll half (my 
friendV mturialikj custom bring to go in ihc last few miles at unc Jang 
pdlupb wc reached tit half-pant nine in the morning. Pretty fair evsdmicc 
ihbi of the virtues of Mofufltti] life—of the improving strength and ruling 
capabilities uf cue who hut a week previously had taken five hours to ride 


















KJAITtfAE'l (II 1 ilr 


m 


twenty-two Utiles T A iainular delightful and §rpMUstirriug ride nest morn¬ 
ing brought ns f in like times find in happy rendition, to Mufofttb. Had I 
fiindi a cowtltiy, and *ncli ride*, witli similar rmnpaniioodiip at (hr kudo 
iimc r TM-nr L'nlrnttn p I bdicro 1 should want nothing but the society of those 
dear to me in my native land to rectvin-fle me to an exiie'a lot. 


Now, haring fairly wandered over the mUskirts—ftsdinustcd nearly every 
preliminary ;—having shewn yon ho** wp get Lere — live here—travel hrres 
and linw time JAM* nnd may Tie ntx-tipM here at the present .season,—it is 
Ins;*] time we made *rmic nearer approach to the mibjed with which 1 pro- 
mined more particularly to fain it in me you by ti]j .UnfusHil residence ami 
letter—the prednetitm and manufacture of Indigo- hut after all this 
rilling and wandering, to any nothing of being wantonly dragged into the 
Tjsiw Court* arnl o prison, you may not lie unwilling to take resit mi til 
another mail. 



TWi rurrr crawiim it. 
























4 



FirijritiLBiLB, Tini fuamm 4 hl- mivt. 


LETTER J\\ 


rrunwrif 


Tilt miton for cultivation here, the earliest opera tidha of wliich fpnmani- 
hmi oi the pound) generally commence* io Tebroaiy, is at W,d; nud as 1 
like to h«iii at the beputmig of all tilings, it is a very fitting time to *ay 
ahOHt * wLk ’ L he ut the™* of 4 

I am warts that hikes air not sappused to be particular!, interested in 
matter* of [cslmcs rexea .lb laud tatos-fcoftk and forfeiting, and hud | 
dressing voii thirty or forty yean ego, might have hesitated even to 
name such things; but in the present chv, I believe I need mate no apology 
fo -W.J-4 » much afiout these matters as may be mtc^arv to Lie, 
others, which are ttHUMjetud with them, iutcUHhk 

I>™ *J *> V- 1» Europeans we* pmhildtod holding buds 
.1 ]CIU * “ J0d f Tt *0 he fraught with danger, not ot.If 

wel lw2L Wl, V llj| " P thC GOTBTnQimt ' ** » the Steresf arid 
well-hell^ of the people, amongst whom European*, thus mhmr would 

ST^L" 7 T ' lt f *“ ft nrtd ' t0 Blmw - 11 h™« evident, however, 
’blr r U v”T ", WM *° ’* Jblir " 1 « ** "««r silken the 

,l,t? , Ei r^ 1 " [ ,li,nhTH Eo in their own names, which not 

*' in the words of their own Memorial to Government, "op^i (ucb 
















Tin: rEMt iiE nr lakh in hctutokass. 


ill 


olwtpdra to the smi:ura«fu] prtwcciitkm of their industry ns cotdd after bine 
«rn compensated but by extnmrdbmy fertility of toil, and cheapness of 
, “ r ; ^ “cwitmed »«™** to a «*y*te® of fiction «,H concealment 

'■Eti»pew«» under fictitious names—or in those of their 
sm-aiitn), wbiub win productive, » rejnarked by the then Governor- Genend, 
of "ftuud, inconvenience, and litigation, alike injurious to the micecw of 
trtute-te tlie |Knce of the minmuuity, and to the character of mir country- 

'* ln lflr hurra resulting in the abolition nr the 

restnutnms which biul “ notoriously railed of their purpose/' it was tin; 
ojiinion of one of our cleverest statesmen (Sir Charles Metcalfe) " that the 
existence of thene restrictions impeded the | imp purity of oar Indian Em . 
piro | that their abolition was necessary for that proper sab* increase of 
revenue which ira» CMOnriu], and that every nirUQre which watt calculated to 
facilitate the settlement of our countrymen in India, mid to re move the 
"listruetions by which it wu* impeded, must, he conceived, conduce to the 
stability of our rule, and to the welfare of the people ™bjeet to our 
dominion.''f The prohibition was therefore rescinded. 

Many diMdvmiteges, however, afltttting the security of capital, attend 
the holding of land. For butanreThe first oloinunt on the sod is the 
liovernmentj to whom a quarterly land-tax is paid, and in the event of the 
strictest punctuality not bring,’ observed in its payment, little or no ceremony 
is observed; the property b adverted i n the G mom incut Gazette, and 
wild to the highest bidder. Mere carelessness, therefore, on the part of 
nit agent, (and, in almost all caw, agents there must he), in paying the 
Government dues, may sacrifice large property—vitiating every claim on 
the part of the rightful owner. Again; hind rented fruin Government Ls 
gem-rally in inch large parcels that few Europeans, singly, are likely to 
juve either the means or the inducement to become holders. Associations 
of merchants, or plan tern, therefore, ore more likely to lie poweasom; and 

here the danger just described present* itself to ench rif them individually,_ 

consequent or, the payment of the rent involving such doubt and risk. 
According to tire Hindoo law of inherit anti- a man's property is rGrided 
ciumlly amongst his children. Hence, Eti the event of their being numerous, 
the official faliout and arrangements connected with an estate would in a 
corresponding degree Ik; multiplied. Portly on this account, and I under¬ 
stand, partly consequent ou some ingenious evasions having been practised, 
Government now almost invariably re-fuse to grunt what is culled a Bhuhi uru 
—that i», n division uf the property—limiting the responsibility of the various 
shareholders to that portion of the property which they really possr.-s; so 
f nit ffitfllm bt j irig thm mitral up, when any tioTcrnmcmt quarterly naht j* 
flpprnacliin^fc the diffbmit thorcholdcn concerned jjj a property Ijceciiur 

p 

■ BdQlDltaD uf fJii CawritnHnl flf Btfijid. tei»j Br^wtsuul, dsld Kth ftbnun, 
t Miiurt* V 3ii C- Itenlfc. tIHl KeUrwry. 1S3», 



























04 Unwin hXtt M BENGAL, 


hils itiii5 an to this L^Lp^iljilitv of Bill the eo-shairliolder* to pay >i|i their dues; 
for in the event of any on? foiling to cL► £■>, the whole projierty i* placed in 
the Gazette, and the other iffiateholdens depending one upon the other, may 
iim* rretivy m warning at all, or an ijimiJfidcnt one, tu enable them to save 
their I ami. IJeiiee parties are frequently known to send in a considerable 
mm beyond what in due by thcmselve* for the purpose of making op any 
politic define m' r y on the part of co-share holder*, for the recovery of which 
they have of rounds the changes of fortune—or it may he the con*ohilicniB of 
the Law I Conceded or forged trusts or sales ftksGj may he another pleasant 
source of peril—of dispute—litigation,— and Labour lost. 

Independently of ri>h hi holding, there is difficulty in obtaining laud, 
which, consequent to I European enterprise in indigo districts, os you will 
hereafter s^e, Tins become so valuable that it is very seldom for wile,—or, 
when for sole, has acquired a price discouraging to tin: European speculator 
or planter. It is otherwise with the native capitalist. Not only is the 
honour and glory of being a Zumcendiir, or landholder, a thing coveted 
mid prized as giving him position and importance in the r^tiniatjnn of 
his eauutiyniL a n p hut ho is a dealt? in land, ami being f Mo the manner 
I Him/ 1 nm>t naturally, In his experience and familiarity with hi- own 
country-people, have advantages in his trafficking which do European could 
possibly possess. The Utter, nn tine contrary, is not n dealer in land; 
for the honour and glory of Zumecndarchip he erum* not one fsgj it makes 
of liim neither a knight-cif-thn-Hbire nor pari di-head tc. He requires the 
earth to cultivate, and labourers to plough and sow it. Hut it i* not every 
hind of earth that suit* his purpose, and therefore he must select portions of 
hmcl over u targe >paee of country which, from its nature, is snitable for hi* 
eottivftrion. For this reason, and the fact, that the same ground should 
not conthmondy lx? sown with the same crop, it could not profit him, nor 
the ltyut (the cultivating peasant) either, to buy or rent a whole tract of 
country in order to obtain a field here and a field there, which would require 
hi ft couplfi of years or n, to change Its cultivation* Thus, what with the 
difficulties and disadvantage* of huiding land direct from the Government, 
and though there are many European hmdhfdder* of tlint hind r there are far 
more who Irune and hold land in small er quantities under the Zumemidjuv 

A p; rpi'tual Ji .isr of land held under a Ziliuvcndiir ia called ft Putney _ 

and the holder is cal Led a Putfi*nd$P t who not only pays on advanced rent to 
the Zimieeiidur, hut a handsome price hr the same, LcMes are also held 
for short terms of from three to leu yean nr m+ These arc termed Eaundis, 
ami the holder* Efciirriors, who pay an advanced rent and a sidfimec, or bonus, 
beside** In either of these ways the planter is enabled to obtain smaller 
jnrtinns of laud,— about the quantity, probably, which he may require ; and 
to him arc nil rights uf Zmocciulam*, and the villages therein Vitimted trans¬ 
ferred* He pays Ins rent to the Zun&eondar, and the Zumcciidjir hi* to the 
Ouvcr nine lit. Here you will detect a repetition of the danger I dacribed 













TEM'HE I)t IhVNU HIT KJTJYf’R. 


n:» 


iti reduce toP^rahlp*. Should (he principal landholder UBjr w tu MV 

.ha kmL „rV hiSTSSiS! 

V V ^: l] ' c lltU the Ziiincendur may have sublet Jiii entire land tu 

l * |J ■ 1 1C ' 7 TL ’ “T *° t ,nix,rnn,em ' [lud deducting tie .run.-, 

to tlrnr several proportion. from thdr mat rent to the Zumemular* hut 

““ tJu ‘ w ^ a,c af tl5(l|n wre aafiraeutty warned, ami ready with one 

many, all wmild lie sacrificed, 1 ■ “® 

Tl,,;- landholders, arZmneoodare of Uengal, thao, art principally native.; 
f I,-re wo fall upon another evil. Sod, is Hie dread wlS res,™ ,Wc 

!f“ ltavp ; ,r 1 , '™« i[ll ° «*« irofuasfl] Cnnrf. in matter* of 

litigation, “ d u ™ff lle - objected to a variety of tomans* 

aampramutog that ™,** to which they rightly hold tin-mscl™* tmtitlttl 

il wTT '7*** ullhc ,La ‘ li[I ” ,f,en ]ive "p™ their 

plates, Inch are tons left to the dare aid majuigcmi m of ageufc. ThJ* i* 

Die more to he Kffrctted, boffinae Dome „f the native gentlemen an? 

ami I upk hart ly observe, that if edmation ha, done its pa n at nil the 

m wind, the affair, of that eh*. of landholder* would b. likely to £ 

eomhictrth were they on tin: .pot thimwdvf.*, would certainly be an tonirmed 

l^etoh * WlVm '**" WacatatUl from whAi 1 «>»y have to tell you 

Tims, you we, the holding of land in Bengal fe beset with difficulties and 
daugrr*; for here you observe the planter, and, what is much worse, the 
prarr Jlyut., or plants, are at tho mercy, not, to very mam ™* a f 
the /imiL'eminr* the,selves, but of an inferior du*s ut perwn^tludr Niihs 
or Vto, It ., just mid necessary, therefore, that this be »tudiou.lv borne 
in mmi] -whm \ ^]>f‘iik af Stuni&aidm gtocarnUj- brrcafh>r. 

The gtoimd, then, wo will lint assume, is owned hy’untivo landholder 
who, a* I havo already said, pay a quarterly land [ M or rent to Government! 

II,is tax, Otomhug to a Revenue Settle, nr, it Act by l^rd Cornwallis in 

. *“*■ Wltil vtr T Ijumn,,n intentions, made perpetual and unaltmiMn In 

to, amount in the pttmnecs of Bengal and Bchar; but, although <*,«•„,- 

"E 5”, T VE tllCmBBlVC ‘ ° f ftU «.y greater value 

wlm-h the lard may posses* one year over another, or any general 

meat tt, its wfl, productiou., and value, whi<h ho.* been vay great tfiev confer 
no benefit whatever upon the million* Muur m it. The advmuau,, i< 
all on the mde to the Zumcemlam, who, a* the tax is not heavy, are seldom 
.ppnssed by the burthen even m bwl Bea^ins, and arc thentfare always 
t e giiiiim ut gaiki uneH f btcausc their unacmtaltcd exnetmcj iipon Uif ii^jf 
^•asimdy are, l am assured, the same under all ciremmfauirca, and neither 
regulate,! hy corumen tic ,m equity nor benevolent erm«dtratk»s, [ should 
he wtry to think that this admitted of no exception*. But rhe Zunietmiar 
as already shewn yen, m the case of the planter Putoeudar, h. very [rretohly 


























Jtrii.lL LirK IN’ HEXfLIL. 


Bnt tlie onlv tK>r<Dti through whose haul the Ituid pa«K> ^ th( ‘ kteonnjf 
cultivator can obtain it. u«. Tt may lie let and sal,-Jet half-n-di^.^ deep; 
«,,! ftB each holder in atifih ease must have Lit profil out of tins iroibriimg, 
tla- peasant of «mi»? finally pity, for idl l Let me cvptmii to you nw r - j 
Thf? nriffiiial ,fc ncrik’ 1 ur $y®e^nfipnt tif tlii- \ilinge—that i* t * llu f - or $ 
rtnt for the sob, a rate fisrd from time immemorial. and acknowledged by 
the English settlement law, is unalterable. -Vow there aw two fend- of 
cultivators —the Khood-kasht or permanent, and the Koorfnh or itinerant. 
The latter in> subject to any rent the fomUmUen m&y«hw»eto demand j 
the former hold tfitiLr agreement fa™ the year of scUletma* IrlKJ, and 
white Lhey psv tbmr rents are not legally liable to be ejected, or to have 
those rents rawed. Notwithstanding the illegality, buwvtcr, the Zmncendut 
sometimes, and in some way, dm* n* the rent, though more fluently be 
relies upon other and safer sources of profit. in the <m«s 1lwvejust assumed, 
the last leaseholder, in order to rover the exec-* of junnna, or rental, at 
w hich he lias purchased, and to derive any benefit from til* tomuachou, hnngs 
a variety of uifincnces, - nial and religious, tr.bcor upon the tenants, to oldiun 
from them compliance with an equal variety of demands and extortions upon 
their mentis, Von ill most need hi be o Hindoo thoroughly to under»uuuL 
this Sneaking of the conduct of the native Landholders towards their 
tenant, it is said—"Not a ekild can Ik- horn, not * teed religiously shaved, 
not a ^nn married, not a daughter given iu marriage, nut even out 1 ot tin 
tvTuniiicul fraternity dies, without an immediate visitation of calamity uiion 
the: Jlyut. Whether the occasion tie joyful, or whether it be «£td, iu its clfreta 
to the cultivator, it is alike mournful and calami tons. * l his is a tcrriblt 
picture in "hard Lines,"—drawn, it is true, atent thirty-five yarns ago; but 
I am assured it is equally npplicable to the present slate of things. 1 he 
immutability of Orientalism indeed, when not broken inln by European 
tliMtian , tenders this little to be surprised at. At llio same time l am 
milieus to avoid, in what I may till you, appearing obnoxious to the charge 
of that unjust spirit of generalising, which includes nil with the many, or 
even the Huyoritv of a people in wlnt may lienee be chiirncten.tic of the 
nn^, This i? the more nmwtaiy. been use 1 am not speaking Irnni my own 
knowledge, Imt quoting from others, whose experience, if earnestly appealed to, 
might possibly fiiniisk some amount of ‘ set oil" on the creditor side j and if 
one feds this caution to be necessary in reference to a section of the people, 
however targe, Low muck more requisite must it ho when there is the risk til 
such remarks being applied to the " people of India" at large. Speaking of 
thi.*, the Hon. Mr. Shore, in bis admirable "Notes on Indian Adair*, 11 
observe*?—“ What shulI ire nay to the attempt to generalise, upon mere 
local and partial observation, regarding notions as tbvcrsilietl iii chorai-ter and 
customs as those of Europe, and partially «o relative tu language? In those 


* Mr. S ii4Qu'i lltpitn nn flunjijMire. 1 itG, fi-tating tn iLf ^cMhiinmt «>r ELtfupflm* ib tiidia- 



























TEXTILE OF LaXFi IIT Sf-irmfS* 


n 7 


of thr- different prwLLU'i^ will be found tin 1 ohii al proportion of good and 
bad* In-hiring without number nmy he adduced of roguery and honesty; 
habits of tmpuriiy niu\ cleanliness ; kbirtnw of heart arid eradty ; morality 
imrl licrnaon'iUBBB; low cnuoing and childtfti simplicity j extratytoiimry 
intelligence mid buUoch-'liko stupidity; fEibeliood and truth; cowardice and 
bravery; infoonstitm mid ignorancein fchart, of almost cten quality that 
vtm be imagined. K uy, the very same people will, under different dretuu- 
fitnnee^ and opportunities exhibit the nm^t opposite dispositions: *?o idle is 
it ins Heber observes) to ascribe uniformity of character to the iuIuibitimtB 
of n comu ry extensive . n * When, however, rtspee^bk ZuniiTtidn.]^ can 
travel huuje, or visit their estates hij train, wu may so rely Lope fur a remedy 
to much of the evil to which 1 Lave been referring* 

By the Zumt'i udsLT then* or Lis under tenant, a? the c&m. may be, the 
land is innm d out to tine Kynln hy Ihitiuli.-, or agracinrjntR, of whatever 
rhn meter miiy lie tit term in em! on between iheni, tit her n* to die ftoinnnt to he 
poid H or the mode of paying it- The rate charged i* from six to eight aonas 
—rtoinettmCH twelve arums {twes-thirds of a Ihiapec, or >ny one shilling anti 
four peiU'f) per iUggfth* of which their an- id*)ut three in an trnie.t The 
Evil is farm, of course, just as smelt as their meniu permit them; otic 
taking pris>ilnty only twenty Miggnhs, while another may rent three nr four 
hundred. 

The Hyut, in order to cultivate Iies land, being ton poor to make the 
first outlay, must now seek the cissistance of the uflitriati& TUuhUjun, or native 
money lender ; to whom, in order to obtain need, advances for rent, rmd the 
various other expenses attending bis little cultivation* he iinmcdmtdy mort¬ 
gages the produce of the *oiJ—the crop before it sown! lie must he 
provided with ploughs, with bul lucks, fiurl the services c if assistant plough- 
men, &c., eliu] he must tlm whilst the urup grew.** l.mt to meet cl! tln^« 
necessities the Muhtijtiu gives little or no money Ejeyond what Is required fop 
rr«/, Thu whole system is n mere barter, lie induced —[ should say ho 
compels, the poor Hyut to Iw tbu purchaser nf his merchandise* If he want 
bml to *oiv, the Mnhfyim snppHeif it at the shamefully usiirimui premium of 
1 tKJ per cent. If be requires rice fur domestic caiwumptiou he charge* him 
oil per cctit.j and if be lie in need of any articles, such as clothe*, ip which 
the MnMjivt itoeai not deal, he make* him n inmitsy advance, fbr which he is 

* JRStl r No biter tHikm* nf Ih tlikfl of rhdftj-trf ta t* fu»uJ in Jhr nqliTti q! [oitfuHraJ*! 
ptrftfbJy be fchlalnrtl Ikon tu bmi uffueJeil br Uie kto ftetwllkin—* bldi pxliitilpij juil mdi tlifftftce** 
id rrmiluEt n ui unLiuaLlv rH tnhii’nbUj tit ttuiH ili □! rli imrUT f«iuJ in 1 be |x-jj?lr nr rtiry 

±i~l1 i lML lijlnn 11 m lurlk : fiiT if AnLfaiD* tHUlld Ojrtrdl llifl I Tf n--btTT LLh it fTDrJIj cif M Ian n pr^rr/' irarrlj 
h.rj i/TTrilrttij-iECHT li-.nmjiTalilr inmlOmt rudJ In: fubdJ Uilll III Uhg flJfeliljr ufibun Itifcft #kt^ Hljwrinr In rrr.tj 
Irmjvliijna —xtcfj iLuipur-'mii etixj Ijmii or jwrjuiiicfi *]\Wh tnitflit iw isjijwiwed, fnrm ilTviiitj of e»u>trj, 
tuF^, arrJ Lull, r.I liiTin -= |«H i.rfuJ a li'Jlld fit lljlinq KLili illiP- nuttinrrr* tbJ vcl fk-rbLy 

fail bful Ini Ihcir 111.1^1. n, —noJ iJmf nl n EiiiiL nJiEd I hi piowtfr eMliOit mufftin ipjMiml to \jt. ii liiUT-Juil ¥ . 

+ Time ii in Ikji/al; In iht Nrali-Ti'nl Provktm Iht Ifijfgih k iwu iJurJa a/ id am. TV 

vmnl u frtqMMiU s tp^U 1 Ik -rtih ' 













KVflAL UPH IS BE N S 4T# 




charged interest at the mtc of 3a per cent.; hut ah produvr advance* ME 
returnable m J5rf*rf only. In same district*, faoppvBTj I am told the Moldy hub 
supply everything* 

Oil the realisation of the crop, whatever it he, the Muhfcjim, of course 
gatliETn it io P and should uny exees* accrue after all advance* and diaries me 
prtid, the llyut obtains. credit at sm ordinary rate, fixed bv tilt MiiLtljuik— 
generally the* market rate, or a little below it. I wUl support that lie sows 
one bigunh of land nritli rim- To do so lie will require from one-half to 
tiuM-fburttia o fa niun of M ed,f ftccorfhig to the vigour am! fre&hncK of the 
noil In return, I am told the host land will yield about seven munE — ihe 
middling description about five ami a half—ami Ihs inferior kind thre'C to 
three and a half muu«. [ am here speaking of threshed rice. Tin- paddy, nr 
rice in the husk, would !mi aljout double this quantity. The average of these 
is about five and one third mini* ■ and taking u cmTcspandiug average of 
the n't urn of grain ninllc to the Muhfijim for the H'wl f the Rynt leaves 
himself only about three muns and twenty-six seers of rice, at the value of 
fourteen annus, or one Hoopee (Bay, two slid lings; per inuit, a* the reward of 
liis labour. From this baa further to be deducted the quantity of grain, 
with interest, advanced for domestic expenditure, ami an efjitivalent for the 
amount of money, with interest, advanced for rent,—and then what can we 
expect to remain? In short, rice is significantly* and almost proverbially 
called the r< MnMj lilies crop.** It appears to profit the llynt literally nothing. 
He in housed and fed, and nothing more. 

But mark, after all, the frequent result to the MuhAjun; far notwith¬ 
standing his heavy term?, 1 am told, be rddntn makes much money, and 
many of his class arc even ruined 3 The fact is, that the system is so 
oppressive that the poor often break down beneath its yoke, nml m tlic 
good debi t hoaredy cover the bad. Tile Ryut, possibly finding himself in 
a hopclo* condition, rum away altogether,, and Leaved the MiiMjiiu without 
the slightest remedy. This is declared to happen in very numerous inutanccw; 
and thilfi, where to auch instances are added many more, in which dishonest 
Ryots have nm into debt without the intention to pay, or making any honest 
effort to do so—results, by an unhappy inversion of judgment, are made to 
justify the causes which produced them, and the good are oppressed to 
remedy the evil partly done hy the bad. So it is that between dishonesty' on 
the one side, and a grasping, ignorant. Kid illiberal policy on the other, 
neither party in btrnefitted i and. despite all advantages of ftoil tend climate, 
industry, under what would otherwise be the most favourable circumstances, 

* Mr. ijlior* {jut qiuilcil fjTJEji i, rtf ikn wtwimilj of aJTinrti ro irtlflnui niNl rtbffia m 

/imIIj. up :—" It is prcdiKlj tbe mini in tie: emilLLlvH riiiu nf L hi m^L The Luml b ■ult&mtfcrJ Ento «can]] 
parlbrUj mtb ti]M by ill jupwliTB fiwiifcfj whi? In* bin GWft jdauRE] nml bidlcn£i. ninctitu.lw^mErUii 
siT then- hit tfl pwr tint ffilibtaii fimisitiril mlTicnn nt rvtjy JluttmL, tn |irocurti mlhI, md fiKtd to Elm 
mi Ll 3] itr map ii rij*. I hrj urartU, ji-.i1 W all It to i*y IUthSf ■! *EL rt 

-f A FurffllJ tnah ■□rroniimt- |q Ci|iin3 to Tillb■ utail i itrf Llha fortieth pan ]Jb. 3:1 ju. In Colmlto 
ilic UrilMi fpirSmu ihjwjJ ii HPUltji,, uol ihn aibvi liuor pntiiDti S2Pi, i r i)Xj_ 




















OmUilON THE NAtiyjyi, 




is crippled' Oil the part of the MuMjun, however, it must further be men¬ 
tioned that he h frequently obliged to Imrraw money himself it ft high 
interest: hence, in Snell cases, another cause of Ms exorbitant teruib in order 
t.i cover his mvn risk. 

With respect to the Hum main r, he lie first or Wt f oppression by him 
may be cit’rffcrrl in n variety of wars. First-—in the rate hr may demand, 
when no lease already exists, ns rent for the land p for although, as I have 
told you, hi* jii miters have limited their demand upon him , and a restric¬ 
tion on their tax., there is unfortunately liu limit or restriction irvrrpi, as 
already espial nod, by legal fiction),, put to hit power in this particular over the 
poor Rynts.* Even the measuring and re-measuring of the land may he 
made n source of oppression, or the mesttia of nr justification for increasing 
the amount of reul, which the Eyut will probably endeavour to avert hy 
making an offer of additional price to Ih* permitted to prosecute Ins labours 
in peace and quiet Sometimes the unwillingness of the Styut to have Ids 
him] remeasured arises from the fact of hia being conscious of actually 
holding or cultivating more than his jminua ? or tenure, really fcpracnte,—a 
thing, it in paid, frequent, Ilcun the Zumeeudar's desire may tic a very 
natural and juutifUhlc one* 

There is another and worse source of oppression which, though it may 
not lie frequent, ! have ktseu assured in not hy any means impossible of rare. 
This is a declaration of art© its of balance of loinl rent due, iH'SrLapn, over 
a scries of years. In such a case the luckless Ryut'n ignorance, of course, 
prevents numb dispute about the matter. There arc the lioolin to jnuvc it!! 
The pantomimic clow n s trnnsicr of the geese to hia wondrous pocket, aud 

the blame to bis neighbour, when he L " sow him do it,” is hardly . . eu m t 

impudent } and concliiHive than, 1 am assured, can he the arrangement of 
such books to substantiate the unrighteous claim 3 Or, it may be, that tlic 
claim h not entirely false— however 1 unjust- but is built upon some petty or 

forgotten debt of a man's father o r uncl e, which is brought . .d noHmhcd 

by interest and compound interest for numerous past years, till its propor¬ 
tions have increased to u bulk that is ruinous* 

In tlie event of dispute as to the right of land, nr other matter of litiga¬ 
tion, the Zumccndar must of course carry the day; fur, unhappily, want of 
dncfitiou and of right principle*, it'mlcrs the sulioruiiig of witnesses a 
lamentably cosy matter to one who baa the means to pay for it For 
the reward uf a few mnun, men III the employ, or vtii of the employ of 
the Zmncendar, where mitueDce is always to lm regarded and feared, will 
swear to anything they have Ijeeu tutored in f There b, how'd'er, in the 
present case, little probability of this measure being resorted to; for 
although it is generally thought that the native* are fbiul of litigation, 
it can only be indulged in by men of Fomctlimg like an equality of means. 

* >* — L--tnj5 lift M-rurify oil thft purl *( ihr Ryot Hut i h*vrj rr*ji ani rm bu iKc iiuur 
nf k lifiavirf real tn- MRnLiji.ii — -IT^ <* lWM. 









70 


111'Hit. LlFI! IN BENGAL. 


'i'li,- jKHir Kyut m it-1 tiece*ssriJy succumb to even thn thrcnl of si “ innknd- 
dnmflli," of Mint, Of Mat suur«w of oppression, of a social, rdiffro™, 
and feudal clinracur, 1 liuvo already spokm }—scow** opened liy every 
domestic emit in the family of the gn»t man, mid winch, to a degree that 
would i«! Imlirmus did it not provoke fur other feelings, afford pretexts 
far the infliction of khiic foiipoziihdti on ibe uniortimato tenant. 

Slmnld the sewou turn out a lint! on?, mul rirmqiavmcut of rent he the 
consequence, the process then is confimention of ail the Ttyut > little pro port) , 
but if this prove iiiHuFfieierit^ which is vtit prohuble xodMd f co n n iflc riiig 
the poverty nf the men. the loss of course fall a upon the Znineeiidar. 

As **■ cunning h the weapon of weakness 11 it may be supposed that the 
ZttmccnAjir in sometime* in his turn the deceiver]. Unfortunately; indeed, 
there are more weaknesses than one to which this ca n muff in frequently 
wkBWrtiat. There in weakness of principle — the natural consequence of 
that weaknm of mind* the malt of ages of depression, which begets both 
mcunl and physical apathy-—and hence that want of honest exertions to fulfil 
engagements which in the minds of Zimiccndar* fitid MtfcMjmis very probably 
seems to justify those oppressive measures or terms which they think neees- 
miij to secure them from loss. Thun it is, however, that there is frequently 
n sy^ieni of rootnal nggrrerion—of offence and defence; hut it is declared 
that this principally originates in the im&eniputons grasping conduct. of the 
higher party. From rui experience of move lfirm twenty years, of thes e the 

agricultural rh^e\ Mr. F-- thinks thnt there arc no people, taking them 

ns a whole, who naturally would be more amenable to kmdncWj good feelingj 
mid justice on the part of the superior or control Ling power; but tlial their 
Letter inclinations have been diKrtm raged—warped and corrupted by the tong 
continuous operation of that selfish spirit n hich has never dreamed nf bene¬ 
fiting thtm Y and under which they are indeed little better than 1 muds men and 
serfs. In short, his only furprise m that they are not tot much worse than 
they ire. 

So iunch for the rial ire Zurafcuilnrs. 1 will next asYtmie ilmL European* 
duod in that position : ami here, in brief, ii U almost unnecessary for im L to 
observe tlmt in such case the conduct of their affairs, anil the interest of the 
poor under them. most hi* equally at the mercy of (Mr education ami dispo¬ 
sition, though in other ways; so (hat you have hut to remember all ilmi 
a Zimieeudar hn* it m hi* power ta do t —all ilmt he may be tempted to do*— 
and ad that greater amount of mllueuce or power which the education*—the 
energy* and pdritino nf the European confers upon him* to form a right 
estimate of 1 m capability of bring to the pm>T r uu already said, either a 
bluing or a curse. The exits attendant upon any system or power rmist 
Ik? equally the same in principle in either case. nnt{ only greater or less in 
reality us the uh^cnce or presence of education and right-beurtedn™ 
may influence the minds of those who exorcise that power* We know, 
therefore, at all events.* on which side we Imvp a right ta throw the greater 





















S ATI V i: fcXAtTlOSH. 


73 


amount of responsibility., mid I cannot but hope that we shot elIso, with tlie 
g-rcater amount of coi i i i «:1 erne, cm it urinate that responsibility being properly 
met. 

It may here lie remurtoeL Llsal tliisre arc many ways in wbkb not only 
liability to—but possibility of oppression utmt be less under European than 
native authority, which arc independent of education. If the former bn 
ducting, bin l \;M‘lioliF, a^ n writer of uhin 1 than twenty ynir- ago oli^en^, 
M are limited to lLiuhc- inula fui tI k- purpose* of hill l rode" His hh^E habits 
and religion* iiiilucurca impose none ; whereas in the emv of the Zumeemlnr 
it in other 

There cannot be a doubt; however,, that n very large portion—-perhaps fur 
the greater part—of what has been charged upon both planter and Zuuiecji- 
lIelFj but in ore particularly the former t from his knowing lew, may really 
he laid to their underling* — the middle-men/ — officials and servants of the 
fstiLlilirtlknieut, who, either through admitted cnstnin t or imposition of belief 
that they ore acting with the knowledge or aul Imriiy, of khu master, arc 
guilty of a variety of exactions on the Hyufefy-—the latter unfortunates dread¬ 
ing their power or in II nr nee to do further harm* How far it h possible 
to Lave m check ujion this ls just the question, and! a very important one. 
Whether all that might be dour to reniedy the evil is really done, I am not 
competent to say ; lint 1 will give you an ilLustnitiou of some of the diflieuitira 
by dasmbmg to you wlmt mam perhaps dully in Calcutta,—even in the 
city,—and if under your very nose in (lie narrow btnuWj bow much more 
likely and easy in the broad Held. 

There h n practice, iia you nmy know, in J mlin, on (lie pan m servants 
of inking what i* uxtued r< dnstotirw" nn purchaser. This h a per cfuaiage 
of two pice in every Hnopee {about three fart hit ig* in every >1 ill big], on the 
price of the article, or the amount paid. Even* servant who makes a 
purchase for you receives it, Tlii* h known and generally not objected tu. 
The labour of the journey to the Bazar, has been his ? and the choice of 
patronage. There is same show of justification ; it is recognised everywhere. 
Like the Jew*s. bond u the law allows it, and the court award* it" You have 
u poor hawker, however, culled in nt the door. Lie has trudged and carried 
bis laud possibly| or paid a cunt in lor carrying u, in the sun all. day, find 
profited nothing. You make a purchase mid pay the seller. Your servant-; 
have had no more to do with it than the tnou in the union ; bm on reaching 
your apartment yuu luar a -quahhlmg m Lhe door;—they are ■ bimiug their 
dutitoree, or quarreling about its d iris ion. Thin you think not only the flesh, 
but the very forbidden blood aim of the bond. In a storm of virtuous 
indignation ymi forbid it ; uueI threaten fine ami discharge, nr nniiiliilattoii if 
you hear of it again. The hawker departs; you return to your room, com¬ 
placent in the thought of having vindicated justice,—but you wLi not that 
the poor hawker, having gone 13fly yards from your door, re turns, and quietly 
and voluntarily pays the doorkeeper (or whoever else tt itmj t«s) Jib 















Rumi. 1.1 i'e in hen«vl. 


7'i 


du&UM , ree , ] [, that knows if 1.0 Old not do id lie would never lw c#lW into 

permitted to enter k without ^ — 
Tlat>re nrc niaii^ 1 ntUcr hawker* itiore iimoiiiioih!L itmpr. mA t\e\ 

th " C 1 :^ an element a* "but rmt* 7 ^*7™ fur j h " T 
T holier W to discharge the durum,, nml «it at the dnor and ni* tW 
yourself! Ju»t that abuse, thru, which your durum, o**™* over the 
Lwker, I believe er«y nalhm affiwi, either in * tactory oru Zumccndar s 
Stout, from Z highest to ihe lowest, «««»** » « -v over 
1 poor Rvuts or those with whom they have the *#«L 

who Love not the courage to idrt it- The whole social system *t 
the people, in short, is one of mutual absorption/ inherent and a* 
obstinately adherent to them as “frieze to birdlime. 

Now the crops commonly by the Bynte on iheir own aet-oimt, are 
mee-Tolme^Stiirar-eane-Hyt-Soorsa (two kinds of mnstei-di-M^ 
nea, nr Liusee.V-Chillies—TurmericJt-el, or S^moe-V l.eat-Burlev^ 
Pea*—KuUee—■Chiman—Uriah,—and a variety of other d*Us or pulse 
which 1 .hall l)e able to notice more particularly in their due «**»»; 
tin, brings me to a few remarks upon Indigo cultivation, as afteetn.g the 

interest. of its cultivators the Ryute, . 

Indigo, though us 1 "haH have oeoiHan to shew you, possessing many real 
advuiitnpw, direct mid collateral, is said not to be a popular crop with the 
Rvm*, No doubt there are circumstance* under 
which this want of popularity will lie accounted for 
and justified,—but if 1 hail reason to believe that 
tlda feeling were either universal or constant; if 1 
had not, on the contrary, reason, from all which 1 
have been enabled to see here, to regard the cultiva¬ 
tion as one capable, genendly , of ecmncctiug itscli 
advantageously with the happiness and well-doing of 
the poor of the land, and not as bring necessarily 
oppressive to them, 1 confess I should feel about as 
much temptation to make the subject of it# cultiva¬ 
tion a matter of entertainment to you as 1 should to 
he the guest of a slave-holder in Kentucky—in order 
that 1 might picture la yon the lienuty ntid profits of 
his plantations—omitting the groans of his victims. 

You will not suppose it to be my intention, how¬ 
ever, tu enter upon uny critical examination of the 
value of one order of culture over another a# affecting 
exclusively the immediate pecuniary tntoert* of the 
people, or of dogmatizing on a question which would 
require more intimacy with the economy of Indian 

rmvpi i 







































vpino anh Kirn. 


73 


agricultural life tlm.ii my personal experience can have fnrnisbed tuo with- 
Sq much ban hrtrn said on Iwjtk rides of this question, indeed—thoie weenie 
such <f ringing of chungse*’ in the cuCttnuLamcft* under which it is declared 
to Ite—now iime thing—and then another,— wo much appears to depend upon 
seaaun*—kwality| and the conduct of pereoiLn* Unit I am led to think 
it can ohIt safely he regarded in u ^utTaJ [joint ot view, ludividnal vipe- 
ritHcftt might jjroiluee extravagant rtsull« always likely to deceive* 

The chief accusation which ka» been brought against Indigo culture U, 

I imdenstainij that it has in some measure Eooiir►| to 1 iAt-cl Land which would 
otherwise have been devoted to crops of Rice—the moat important article of 
food to the native of India, and which it is assumed he could cultivate with 
more advantage to him&tdf. 

Here, m in. all disputed matters* we plunge into htdf-s-doKen proportions 
sod iuferencefci wliidij in fairness, require to he disposed of, in order to reduce 
the question to its simplicity. First—partly anticipating a subject 1 Anil 
eipeak of hereafter,—I may mention, that there arc two kinds ol Itiee s one of 
which, from being sown in low wet lauds, never can be interfered with by 
Indigo, which is totally oMoitod to suck soil, in hoibo dMtHiiCs this kind nt 
nee is said to form nearly Line-half, and in others very nearly the whole of 
the produce* Secondly,—it w asserted that at least four-fifths of ihc lands 
occupied by planters arc, from their nature, altogether until: for rice. But 
this estimate cannot be intended to apply individually to every district, as. 
for instance h it wmdd he false in reference- to this of Kish nag hur r where ail 
the high land cultivated for Indigo is erpiully suitable for Riccj whereas in 
part? of Jcs^nrc and Dacca, where bind is low, and large alluvial deposits 
occur, 1E Lee would nut succeed in such a soil at all. W hat i* called f Von 
land,—that is laud formed bv deposit near rivers alter the periudir min- 
ilrttionSj and well adapted fur' Indigo, is unfit fur the euhivatinti jf rice* 
until time has altered, its character, and rendered the diqiorit nu lougu 
liable tn early immdatimuk Again—hi hi^h land districts, SOB will not 
yield a good crop of rice for more thou two consecutive years* 1 1 
third year, 1 am t.dd. it will scarcely yield enough to pay the expenses if eul- 
tivation. The same laud, however, alternated with indigw and Hut exhibit* 
no symptoms of decay for several years. Thin system, it appears, pre 
throughout the Kishnnghur district. 

Thus, therefore, you mil ohm-rtc how much depeoda upon locality- 

We now, perhaps come to what I, believe may lie tinned tie i™t o 
the matter,—the connection between the Planter and the Kjut. am t 
brings me back to where 1 left the former in his capacity of 1 utir ' 
whom, I informed you,, all Zumeendarce, or landed right*, were L 

soil and the i illage^ thereon. Hot it is- urged that the E lantrr * cast o 
land jfives him, or should give him, no title to fAr ptwpk wIlo Uvt j 

wbijMj'services and whr^e land are, iievcrthelw*, to a certain extent, indented 
upon for the cultivation of Indigo, To thw the mind yicltk on involuntary 



















74 EUltAL LI PE IS HtNfl.iL* 


acquiescence, Bat we thua jump into the province of the legislator who 
dictate w hat xfwuttl be, an A not the scribbler who descrilree what in. BfsteiW 
and custom* appear to have grown tup in India, having had their origin in 
ipJ under dmiliiftances and eombkiftlioiis, for which hardly n parallel 
could hr found in English lift? or history, and hence require to be judged of 
with motion mid limbi icy; ^ hi 1*1, just a» obviously, home little time and 
patience an; necessary for that remedy and improvement which being already 
manifested in to large a degree r it may surely be anticipated will continue to 
progress. My present object in to ahuw you tithes as they ara—not wbat 
they might Ik; under jt dilfcieiit cmuitittUinn t such as may csriat hcmafUirwheu 
3nw>£ and people hove uudergone those mutations which, like a few moun 
on the chessboard* diwmmge and re-turtmge the relative portion* of every 
figure upon its chequered surface, Hem*, however,—referring to thin indmit 
on I he teimntj which, like so many other things, h* often p 1 I relieve, made 
without even the knowledge of the Planter, or in caress of what he might 
approve,—may in part :u-ise the alleged aversion of ityofca to nn application 
of their labiur which may not be voluntary, whether remunerative or not. 
Hut this observation can only apply to ofti tenantu—not to nt'w M who take 
]riiHC 1 *? ipf land, just as an EujiIikIi peasant rents his farm, with full knowledge 
of all its conditions; nor, of course, to RyuLh who Icaae land independently 
of the Planter, and yet take advances for the ctdtivotum of his Indigo. 
With tlicne latter the undertaking mml be voluntary. The Planter, however, 
sb-cLoren that his object in obtaining Zunicctnlaree right* in not so much to 
obtain hmi as to retire the realisation of hi* just claims from those who 
cuJtivaic it on bis behalf, and with his money; Wmisc, as already explained, 
no crop cun lie extensively grown in Bengal without the llyuts receiving 
jtc ( 7 (/rrtiicr of money 1 far their bdreurs,—a system prevailing throughout 
India; and when such advances an made in villages where the Planter has 
no influence or authority, the whole* it is urged, may Ire Inst from breach or 
contract m the part of lire Ttyut, or illegal ami possibly violent interference 
an that of the Zumceudar. Here is another branch of the innumerable 
ramifications of tliw almost intcmiinable qiicstfom The last-named party is 
laved with cornel lines opposing, from various self-interested motives, the 
enltimtioti of the Planter's indigo, by inciting the Ryut* to a breach of 
n intract, or to a quarrel, lit!set' the Planter's assertion that opposition to 
the cnltivalinn of Indigo lie* more frequently with the rich than the poor. 
No man, I imagine* would maintain that this can he it* exclusive source. 
To do *o would he to nmmftm that all Planters were alike, anil all faultless, 
and that no evil or grievance Finer arose in which the pra^iint could Ire right— 
the Planter wrong, and the interfering party actuated by Mjme little sense of 
justice or beHoroletiCf*; a state of thing* not likely to obtain until every 
Englishman be found with cherub wings on his back, and every native with 
hoof* instead of toes to his feet. The misfortune under which the poor of 
Bunged labour is nut merely that they should Ire so entirely under the control 



















THE E|7 Rtf PHAN AMI HIS ItITT TENASTB. 75 


□( tlitfH' wlirij hjh. ] hflii3 diDwii vuu, Ihr> it in their fioirrr tu tin them wring* hut 
that their utter want of eduoatmo renders them uiconsUtciit wMi ticnwlvHi 
\ liable to retfcd olio single word nr fiiyciiev, what control can tliov have avertliow? 
with whnwof Lliniiigliwkam, their tittle tnrnmtiam lie ?—and, tacking judg- 
numt mid murage, they voluntarily rivet the fetters of bondage in systems and 
practices amongst themselves that irupnwcridi them, ami which only a little 
midi igence, unanimity, and resolution, are necessary to overthrow. 5 * 

To retmu to the European anil hi a Ryot tenant*. The Gut—the mpeeta- 
tion and demand that tenants, whether old or new, should c id Sh ale :l certain 
reasonable purtion of tiiear laud far Indigo on mxuunt of the Phstei^ia ni 
uliee and frankly admitted; hut that it nets oppressively upon tliiau, or run* 
ilern their position in miy degree inferior to what it urns before, under the Zu- 
mccndiir, is emphatically denied,—Here, then, ia the immediate point at innuc, 
II it he shewn that ihe Ryufc is r loser by tlie new eoiinetrtin-M, it mini 
be in a proportionate degree (at rill events with the old tenants], an qppre*- 
rtioti; but if, on the contrary, it appears tlmt the advantage ia greater, or 
e^en equal, there will be none,—as certainly, it ha* been remarked, if the 
Rynt obtain* Uis usual profit or returns, 44 it matters little to him whether it 
he derived from Indian or anything dac/ 1 If, however. It he ihewu that the 
name reward, though it were nothing more, is obtained with less labour and 
trouble, which is declared to Ik- the cane,—to say nothing of the collateral 
advantage of assumed aid and protection from a more enlightened and liberal 
minded master in the European than in the Zumocndar’s Xaib mid villtigc 
Midhijun—then it certainly tfovt matter. I am assured that there have been 
■waium* at which the Rice crop* failing, the RyuU have hern thrown buck 
altogether upon their Indigo and the aid of the limiter,—aid which I Lave 
heard of being r a tended r oil wime oncflidpit of a smtvity ur famine in 

tlsi* district, hy one tirm, in loans to the Ryots to the client of Ino Lacs of 
Uoopres, or £&OfiQQ; the return for which was to hr- mode partly in Rice 
and partly by the cultivation of Indigo, at a more prosperous pt-ritsil,—pro¬ 
bably the following year* P hi Innfcti r opy. of count*, mu>t not rush in to claim 
all this as her exclusive offspring. It is instanced only m an illu^tration of 
one of the advantages which have attended, and may miam attend the 
presence of the European planier. Whatever amount of husiiim inienst 
imy have mingled with the hm of so large a mm of money—indeed, 
furnishing the menus and warrant for so great an outlny—(fhr nujti ration* 
with the pwjor cultivators llicomdves, might rise have died), it would be 
an outrage against British humanity to suppose that the dictates of duty 

* M Tht irtP art M3 mm or Ich pww i ff=w We *nj eipit4 1 uiA to rwAte Him la ^iHiTitr i| ill 
ikrj in akiEEpul to bflffTjw emmst tit i hiirj intrant, Tl»*i f IflfcftwiSc* *ti4 iiuMBty ta f skI er wiilft, 
^ pl*» tfcem al Uib raprrj at tlw didbfj lrud*n, *ha ur lltf n tdStmm itemrUf. IrpJ 
mwi-rj Lb iLrlf-uim, h^J ■■ Kn ttuLo 1 lLod iijna rtrdplt fof i3im tn*l '■■lb. Ui*ir 

DWli Oi.r^iLiiiiaF ■ BJ^|] rtf fttCMPjv ill HjBrriai'Et, ftftavili^ lw! T - h krrpf linn rfB./ MfpuH 

^ U * “t Au&ttfa flj UiyV RmipA Smyti, 4ffut*rf< £*rt**t Smrrfptr. 






















RTTtLLL LIFE IX ISUXUAL- 


76 


A.nd benevolence had no share in the mutter, u* the period was one of 
extreme calamity—in short, an inundation and famine, when those who 
lent had themselves been henry sufferers. 

Th ha vau will observE how much must depend npon time* and mim 
Ln reference to interference with the cultivation of rice, my host here 
observes t u The rice craps are to ns secondary only in Importance to the 
Indigo. Dy their aid, rix months of the Ryuts' rente are paid, whilst their 
cold weather crops provide the remainder. If therefore, we pursued a 
system of grasping and rninoUfl monopoly, should we not wash the bridge 
irons under u> ? From whence should we pay our rents to the Zumeeiuhir, if 
I iv an insane and mud line of policy to worth the Ryots we deprive! them of 
the means of paying iMm io oh— or of cultivating the land cm our account? 
It is true—all planters are not alike. There are, no doubt, harsh planters, 
tis them are harsh masted in every occupation and pursuit in life, Irat such 
men are no greater in thtfir wisdom than their humanity, nor in their pros¬ 
perity than cither: on willing labour is the most expensive nf nil labour/ 1 
With respect to Iticu,—that hind, ns 1 have explained to you, with which 

idsmc Indigo ran interfere, and which, Mr. F- considers I he tent profit- 

ahfi 1 of all tlie ilvute' crops, he affirms that the only effect winch the 
cultivation of Indigo bus hail upon that produce, hue keen to incite a greater 
amount of industry Mid care in producing it, in order to nice! the increased 
demand of an increased population around the Factories \ and, lastly, elm to 
Indigo itadf—he declare h to me his conviction that, by an cndeavmir, with 
emutnan honesty and ordinary care and industry to carry out their eugagp- 
meats mi the part of the RyutH, the cultivation of the plant would generally 
be just os profitable os that of mast other crops ; but that in too many 
instance^ those honest endeavour*, from lack of energy and principle, arc 
entirely wanting. In truth, from all ] can gather of the mutter, there 
appear to be just three thing* which seem to deprive them of incentive to 
exertion j—ftret# the bbod-suckkg plague of ** Ihisio&rcef* under which, well 
might the poor Indian peasant enclaim with the Preacher ,— (i Whut profit 
hath a nmn nf alk his labour which he taketh under the siui?** Secondly— 
their connection with the M LiliijTm—the evils of which, equally obnoxious 
to the Preacher's text., I have already shown you; und, thirdly, the 
system of udrtmrtw. If the cut ire fruit* of their Indigo labour* had to he 
received on cmnpfetiun, they would feel a greater amount of intcre-t in the 
result; and devote# it in likely, more of their energies to the planter's crop, 
to make the best of it ; but no sooner have they received Ida advances 
than, 1 ten to one/ they must go off to the Muhajun ; nay, it is possible his 
man accompanies them to receive the money, and to the Muhajun is every 
pice of those advances very probably made over. They arc most likely— 
indeed almost surely—already in hia debt, and have to make thrir tntttomazy 
arrangement* with him for supply of provisions for the year. With all his 
poverty the Bengal pennant, like Ids brethren of the city, for whose 




























HriroviUtiMT. nr the natevkm. 


77 


prurience 1 msi vouch, is improvident ako tu it remarkable dcgnu* He will 
lav out on n marriage or festival* a* much as would keej► him for several 
months Tiny, for a whole year. The U.mmiroMe Mr, Shore, wW- 
experience, added to his ljcflevolftnt amcl impartial spirit in all tilings afleetmg 
the natives of India geimr&Uy, renders him a wdc authority, olwem*#:— 
■ d Thu improvidence of the natives of Titdia f particularly of the poorer 
dosses* is one of their strongest ehurtu-teristics Ion indeed was ^mu i idiy 
the cose with the peasantry of Eughuid, before the institution of navi up 
hunts, Ik: unfit nfabft, &c>] The men are constantly banwing enmn t which 
they hare no rcosciuahlc means of ever repaying, to espttnd in naarriagea and 
feasts, front the vanity of having the credit of giving fine entertainments ; 
ami not unfrequeiitly take advances from two or three different individual^ 
espcciallv from the mdign-pluiiterH^ who are defrauded to an immense extent 
in fhia way.” 

Elsewhere, also, Mr. Shore remarks :— JJ The majority of the lower orders 
of natives, on occasion of a marriage in the family, or oilier ceremony, 
never think of future consequences: they are urged by vanity and the 
instigation of their relatives anil connections to make as hue a display m 
possible: and often Ikhtqw sums which emhamis them for years, nr even fur 
their lives ” So the money lender's bill is increased;, it may he, by flame- 
thing nf this kind, and in this way the Ryut makes himself over to the 
MuMjim — and has thus "two masters” The money he has received 
from the one lias gone,—and with it, it is reenable enough to suppose, a 
certain share of interest in the object for which it was given. ^ The other has 
tu bo conciliated to keep supplies in order—anil so there is likely to be, 
whether necessary ur not—a clashing of interests in the distribution of the 
Rjut's time and labour. The Mnliujun mas bis influence to ^ at tent™ to 
hi* crops f*o ther nmv \m termed), and the planter is under the necessity of 
keeping three field servant* IP everv 300 Higgato «f hind to prevent neglect 
of Hie Indian " If ( H p my friend here) the Ityuts were bonest and did 
not need this sniper vision, bow much more gladly would I distribute the 
money devoted to this purpose [about one thousand RoOpees a month, 
amongst themselves m extra pay for their plank than fa payment of m 
ck tabli b liment only to luok after them.* 


* Mr. 5W, ^tinjc f— ** f " ?£* 

Enriamt, m Sa —” In InJi. il L. tdWir dlftlM c rt* Use ii««> ■» »"* 7"7.7.7 

Jo, b Jiyj-tb, leiai 0* -art -in u M ? t*U*m*. m ib JjKt, 

rtbr b or h. if7< toiuf h* ■«*•** ■* it* d-1 to lb P«pl« ■* 7:7 

I bn, Jo out .quukr lit wo* lh«r U« IM** or -u b 

«7lb - J?b p-bL b Z ib-, at «-far-—. - *"72! ZZ ^ 

hunu In nnnitat™* in Ln*«tin* ibc krob, to <b <*«*» ■« b * "ItTjf 
Ml lb kbuiu uut [n—if " llkHMik tabu, • ■»>»« P uri 7 nf * lJ U / 7, e L, 

or irapDridOBCf' ol li* peoi'ir to-loro il hbihwii prob- N«li|toi)re lB< Vj, u 

d.V^oknu.Irriiti,: of liL En*U.L poor, i™t lb |,!no of p.yiBi **€"'*, TTlbWhll it to 
lb -oU M 1,00 perfo^d. Kl, m 1 prol rh«k tb» I lo - - — ^ ^ W “ tU 


















RURAL LIFE IN UKMJAL, 


78 


if tLe* profit* from growing Indigo were greater, nr so great a* not t u 
require effort on the [hart of the Ejnfr to realise them, that might lie likely 
enough lo stimulate to more care, and to remove till temptations to di a~ 
hourly j. blit no marvellous results are claimed for it j they are uncertain 
and vLtrisililiv :tnd mi iiL)l> Etrr thrive of the cultivation of rice. An advantage, 
however. Lure attends the division of crop*—fur ll reason which is bad for 
Indigo —m a vltv wrt urn"-,—La generally good for rice, and an unfavourable 
riee imp, in n very dry >L“won, may be balanced by u remunerative one of 
Indigo* The affair* of tin? Ryni f us those of all agriculturists, mmt of couree, 
he subject to variation of fortune under variation of circtinmtanrea* They 
art equally at the mercy of the element* with the planter* A had season 
yk4d* the former fl poor crop,, and the latter a scanty prod nee. That the 
Ryuts are at the mercy of their own exertion* too, who can doubt, for what 
mail 3 * not V—But ran we dffpcct poor creatures who feed upon boiled rice and 
ll scrap nf ta-.h to have the tmwavcrmg energies of the full-blooded English 
peasant, wlui washes down his bacon,, eggs, and greets, w ith a pint of porter 
or 41 home brewed ?" Xut tiU the dormouse yokes with the os—or work- 
home starveling— 

H &liak« bit jKmdeTQUi lir>rc *uJ briTti tltr djtfd of Triijf V* 

An Indian sun, nnd an Indian shower arc not pleasant to k it in'pdin$ uiidEr. 
1* it wonderful if men nrv found to shirk them?—1 am assured, however, 
that there are very many Eyttf* who, hoiust and industrious, seem almost 
invariably (the eusindfira of retoon of cotme excepted) to be successful in their 
Indigo cultivation i and others almost as consistently to be the reverse. 

Assuredly, the character of the natives of Bengal (and here 1 speak from 
my own experience] is n strange ineoiisisteitcy. Indifferentj slow", and 
apathetic in their ordinary duties., they will yet., nudtr txcittmtni. cither of 
neetitstity or ir^iird, oat-do all others, possibly, in the aecompliflhment or 
endurance of things of ten-fold greater magnitude or labour, The man who 
will take two bn lira to go un errand* or perform some t riding task which a 
Humpoan would do in ten minute*, nucl want a Motiyo, or porter, lu earn an 
insignificant parcel that may lie given to him, will, on getting leave to go to 

b* ■' Na ■luSc i•• ■ lictiimLi,"—Utp rlcrii m hjikiA hiiith! *l»n- U,r itjcnil wf b i:« fa'i* . kiii 3 in 

Imllh £111 IrnLueLirt □mn , 'iFT itj hiiCj me ||ftlL/nd. of ■ mLiifr wliirt) ill K:idatad IK KHFttjj k ifJPTJV n.fl 

lJi.nl* i■ j. wiibnul »ripr^*i7ijT inj i nl ld: iuuuJ n*griirnr no tins |inrt of ihbM wbiL ure £Bi[ilaji ?il. 

ibll, M^wikUWlrlj, th*T4! 1* Kuu ■rUntjp of a. iTihllt^ priPpbfljjifl uf Iht |ifu|iIe ill IpiEij, iPf ttflifi: 
tbu in ahj uLber rouiitf^ Ml^ pmliwn imL cnftinLUn *i]| 4idibmLrJy lakr ■fim** tnlbmri wj 
inEfririnfli nf prrfonnjti j ih* iiipiiLiE^d war is - uthfirfi rter-GEW! iminrr frnui iwg gr llirvE cidjl‘ji’V€ rs il oiira. 
■Jib.iifrh Uwj kiww ; hm ihwj will nut 1 jk ulilc Eu faiRL iLfirrrv^iiDiFrti amt I usi mrr^ Lo uj lb at t JlLb 
i|tirtt tna ocrin'onaiEtj bm AhLfJWiE by F*Jieh*b mcrdanti ud tuiL^o ^iMuUri, ija tfw4r imsiclr pFnaartr 

Ibl^f qin, JjJJttF'c tbcif beiplilKiqri FOTm'BI,—abuhL ■ i i^lilj'ii thiCJ bHTC it fcogtli eLlii’illvrJvU. 

JlfJT, Miiu, in uuLtbcr rowm- iitiyntioB,, wbJdi wn«l4 weti Uw ayitetu or jwffBrtiiLu^ wsjffc 

bj bEruJ lalMurtr* iiibrialutrd tur Mur rtf imAmu; ulvaanw. whicL. tnwBifr, l» jirEVuiu1«3 by Ibi: jnntrly 
ctf Lbr prDjJt/ 1 —Aeftf# ,*m ^jfurri hj Mi- Frfdtuncit Juki i /W^, 

AnraBiidMi 

















TXCOHmTEOTY O? THE NATIVE tHARACTJR. 




* J liia country/* shoulder his bundle, and travel a journey on foot, and in a period 
of time that would surprise you. Look nt the poo t rice-fed peasants who carry 
von a dfik journey, I should tike to nee a dozen or pixtncru Englishmen, not 
trained for months previously, four of wliom at a time, changing every lrnlf 
mile or ^ would take up a pftlkeu, in itself weighing about 100 pound*, anti 
with n gentleman of probably thirteen or fourteen stone weight inside it, 
trot off a distance of twenty-two milee without stopping! A plant itt, ainn., 
tolls his servants in the evening that bv must he at such a station, or factory, 
flixtecn nnilcsi Ldf, the next morning, lie ri^es ist five o'clock—canter* off nti 
horseback at six, and oik reaching hi* declination finds hi* hc mutts there 
before lii nip—cooking and preparing Li.* breakfast ! They have walked there 
in tike night. 

j!ut to return. No one dreamy I believe, of Indigo making the poor 
Bytits' ftirttlne. Poor they arc at the bfet, and poor they will remain, I fear, 
until by great moral, educational, and other changes, towards which Planter* 
themselves are the most bound to contribute, the condition of the whole body 
of the people be raisedthen, indeed, they may have sense to abolish 
esiravagtincies—courage to resist impositions that impoverish them, and 
enlightenment enough to understand ponm of the simplest principles and 
maxim*, in lniin&u conduct and affairs. All that appear® claimed by the 
Planters themselves is that the Ryut* under them have, in some degree, gene¬ 
rally improved! in their condition p and not retrograded ; and that u variety of 
advautagcDim cire uni stances, sometimes experienced in a marked degree, 
attend the connection with the factory eltmI the cultivation of Indigo. 

Doubtless if the returns of the Planter were sure and uniform, those to the 
Byuta would he improved; but the risk# are extremely great: a few showers 
too many, and a Lac of Roopees may be gone iu a day!—or, oil the other hand, 
too few, and nearly equal logs ia occasioned' The Planter, however; declarer 
that he is [ls liberal as circumstances permit him; and, iu the district around 
here, points to the fact that whereas at one time the Byut was paid only one 
rtiqpec for tr-n bundles of plant, he in now paid the same sum for /our. But 
itit wGif in/} maker of 1 Dwttvom* yet remain*: and until lhai nboniiimliou lie 
removed, the Planter will be debited with the odium of loss arising from the 
extort Lou of his servants r and the capabilities of the crop to benefit the culti¬ 
vator never fairly known or tested. 

That, notwithstanding nil disadvantages, the gigantic capital pointed to 
by the Plan tern—upward! of a imUiomand-a-hnlf of money, yearly engaged 
in the manufacture of Tiidigoj and which, whether actually remitted imm 
England, or retained in India for the Mine object. i* to be regarded equally 
as capital imported into She country, and in large part expended amongst the 
people—■must have benefitted them in sonic degree, nernis to have been unt 
only admitted, but* by many, very emphatically dwelt upon* Nor Is t Mm all. 
The enterprise and energy of the European have inemm'd the utility am! value 
of the soiL t tracts of bind which, but for him r it is maintained, would 
















KCRkL LIPE tS 0 UNO AL¬ 


SO 


Have remained the jungle-barn* of the wQd buffido^tbe tiger, or the hmr * 

\zzz u el J2£ - - -*-*.-* " u 

tilled; and tic question » asked whether in tins way, *o, not 

have arisen to tbe people. . . . i„ xl_ 

But all this, of course,* no. enough There ut wmtmg not odythe 

gold and the energy of the European, hut hi* heart an in* " _ 1 

the distribution of to gift* in the right direction-to «c, *j ! “ 

lit*, that the cultivator* by whose toil he profit* nr* pm*' 
labour to put a cheek upon the infamous system of tluatwrew, , 

Ei-tr-Liroil that the jKHjr are not farther despoiled of their ream* by tin 
of underlings, who -dressed in n little brief authority ft *fl , 

-cmnpremising the honour of their Chnstun -n-Jto'h n^e, •** **«** 
either to rnrrv favour, or to get credit for smxx^fiil mmmgeimmt haic 
in their power at least, and I should fear too often in thi tr practice, to p»» 
the Rvute m their arrangements, mid themselves to fatten on the earnings, 
Tims and Instil', von will see how much will depend upon character; or 
if the spirit of a good planter lie insufficient, as 1 have shown J™ ’* maj be. 
In- his own crumple to prevent oppression, how much more HLeh must 
tiie pernicious cr ample of a heartless or avaneioiw one be to foster and 

Tito Mid that "all the advantages *hich «ow to the native* ot 
India from the cultivation of Indigo by European planters, have thmr *mircc 
in the amount of foreign capital employed, which creates a demand hi. , 
for their labour; and secondly for their limdi” hut I think it "dl lie 
admitted that the home commodity of character forms » c^utral a part o 
the Planter's capital, a* his moncy,-and very f mi uet,lly a far 
one - for if wo are told that " Paul may plant, and Apolto water to Little 
purpose a ithuul the grace or help of God, so might the ™ ol Italy u well 
L cspeoied to germinate ott the snowy peaks of the QinmUyuha, or the 
huttern.p on the Arabian sands, as the poor cod ignorant to fomniih miml.t 
the means of wealth, if thow who rule, neither promote, direct, nor permit 

"* As to ^inquiry, whether and in what degree the people of the country 
have hitherto benefited generally by the cultivation of Indigo, opinions mu* 
he sought from those whose position mid means of information qualify them 
to speak on bread ground*. That the rich—the Zumeendure-havu been 
benefited,—they whose possessions have been doubled in value by the conver¬ 
sion of large quantities of Land, either covered with jungle, or unfit, from 
their uunlitv, for the growth of crops ordinarily grown in I mini, into 
cultivated soil,- there appears to he no doubt whatever, t Tliat those, also, 

. sir Wilisr Gilbert, » keea h> . (alfert b tdd m* CM lie MpO** Mtfcl lbs 

Ijuu onf th* Lain:* aftiuwl ibe i|wi wfaroi'e I am eg* writing. 

t -Sfemr ymji ,pu, wiu 9 L ln>Hgo ™ wrt w gwxiUj too.In ^ 
, V1I wMtiH'uh af Indigo, did ant J*W • wWdnrt infom» to P*J dit Giwenmtat u*e»muil , to < 






























mi:j, tTlnN or THE fULVTtafl Til THE XATlVEfi, 


81 


who are attached els spirants to the? Kartnry on regular w;qre*—many 
of whom, nf LTjurHi\ nrigiju ly in* I unbred m the p^ur class, and who* col¬ 
lectively, from probably mne hundred factories in the Bengal Presidency, 
fonn a very considerable body of mm—-have benefited* there are iiuiiti 
to deny; for, indeed, as already implied, they tuv generally nupjhosed to 
take care of that thjGiu&ehcflj and there are do levier* of 11 dustaoroe^ 
upon them, or their regularly paid wages. It in the question affecting 
tfte rt'tilhj j poor- the labouring peasant, that will be more interesting to 
you m r and here, having said so much to show how variable must be the 
results* you will not suppose that I am iUcgicaUy inslancing the po*t as 
proof that the prsttnt must mvesBarily be one and the same thing; 
hut with no knowledge why there should in? retrogression # I leave it to 
others, more learned them my self in the matter* to show wherefore that 
present hhmild diHjidvaiitJigeously differ from the past, f and simply tell 
yon what I find upon record* which may not lie without interest. 

At the time when the question uf permitting Europeans to hold land 
in India came upon the tapis* Government issued circulars to the magistrate* 
of the various provinces in Bengal, directing them to state i4 whether it was 
necessary* for the effectual subjection of the Indigo Planters and semrnix to 
ihe control of the law* that any further legislative provisions should be made 
in addition to those which already existed; ,f and demanding also idbrinaticii 
m to the general character of the European Indigo Planters residing within 
their jurisdiction^ in regard to their transacts ims with* and treatment of the 
natives around them. 

The fact is that up to that time, now about twenty-four yenm ago* the 
conduct of Indigo Planters hud been pictured in no pleasing colours, and in 
too inan v install evs, no doubt* with good cause- very different class ot 
persqm, I believe, were then to he found in charge of Factories from those 
generallv rvixtiiog in the same puailion now, and bad coaduct is always more 
prominent than good. lie ure, as- 

11 The ctlI ihnl (fttu do IIti* »fiwr tlitm, 

TJir jtiKjdl ii gfc iia^n-vit with Eb*Lr ItaHtt s" 

the worst side of the picture was the lsetter known—and, of course, for better 
it should be so, or there would be no correction. The Government 

within ■ IWw ywi, by the iiitr^iiEticii of TriiSlni?, their i* now si^it ft na tljs Mtilfl niati3|jcJ„ mad 

it garai ibp a himiLs^mr |in>rji. _Sev»:n] of hit rdmtofcU uit lirtok "h*™ 1 11111 Wi3i 

wish, have la lifcs irmnDer improved their pf*^rty+ mil mmiane from Hieu 

If iwh Irtiin^dal L'dtcu m tLtdc I hurra eiiTimrrninV bi¥f fctrfntid Fram tb® fawl'nwiii^: L^Tupani a t 

unc srUHi of podurlion felo&s, whit frrttar ju3rantii£« iriftj ncit be Mrtiriputid ifnim the uiLK*tnpt«l 
■pplbstHra of PriEiib ildti, capital, null rndn-tTf I* Uh *rrj tiumj whirl thii eowfrf a «P*Ui 

pcwlririurt, 4^ tc_"—^i* e i-A of ffintou Tkgvrt. 

I 1*68. JSj kidvc Him .Irfliml uipopalirily *f 1w%J n ■Itrilratfd la i fiJiitt? oS m tke proaunr- 

It U imi, thni !k‘ pint, -luth «4 aoa ti»a ™ nt *^a f«l i- kuiphl, ™r &*» «™t»t tultir.Hoa 

M 

















ELCHAL LIFE IN BENGAL- 


inquiry Art* forth an imrnnu’.ruble host of reports-a mere epitome of irfeli 
hulf Ulli volume. They embraced not only the conduct of Planters, but 
the question of the dfeeta which the cultivation of Indigo bad pr.iduced on 
the internof the people, Thw reports expressed ft variety of opinions. 
As touching tbe Planters—preponderating in their tavoixr, Uu the am 
hand they were aocuricd of adopting smjustifinblc means of nlitnmmgj at 
the tnonlleit pOMhfe cost, all the Indigo whkli they were enable of manu¬ 
facturing;—of driving hard bargsdns with the Ryuts—-of taking advantage 
of their wants, their wenknir*, or cupidity, ami occ&suiiinUy, when ncces- 
sjiry, using force—or by boieli mean* compelling %ut> to enter into 
Indigo engagements, and refusing to nUuw them ever to free themselves 
ftttm such eugagcitionts—to which may he added the more justifiable and 
hitter Complaints—ngainat tin- extortions and oppression of the Amfoh, or 
Factory H'rvnnti.* On the other band, the Planters obtained credit fur 
being held in nuirii esteem by the natives—for being cuti-sinutly chided upon 
to arbitrate in disputes between. relatives and neighbours, frequently 
dispensing medicine to the sick—advice to those in difficulty ’pecuniary 
aid to ill use m need on the occasion of fiunily events, which would other* 
wlm t involve them for life with native mowiy-lciidsMj and tor their never 
feiling acquiescence in the wants and ivishes of their poor iirighIjoiintj 
and thus exalting the character of the Rritisli name* and m> forth. With 
reference to the cultivation of the Indigo inwdf, the Report indicated that 
the favour or aversion of the natives seemed to van with the locality; 
tor whilst we are told that IE instances are add need by the Governor-Ciciieml 
iik Conned* in their Revenue Letler, 1st January'* 1830, of great eager- 
iicus on the part of the Ryute to induce Planters to settle in their respective 
neigh bourlicatHbi/ 1 —others elsewhere are represented as being altogether 
mvctwe to it. 

hi selecting expressions of opinion, then, I can perhaps hardly do 
better than cite those of persons whose sympathies are most likely to lie 
with their own emmtryw %m* One of the most gifted and trustworthy of 
native gentlemen* the eminent Hammohnn Roy, who* yon may remember, 
visited and died iri England, — though observing that, in his opinion, the 
OcmdiUoti rjf the peasantry generally had not Ijecii improving witluu his 
recollect ion r arid was indeed of a must melancholy description—makes 
cxeeptidfi in n>|uct to Ltyuts engaged in the cultivation of Indigo, and 
As to the Indigo Planters, 1 beg to observe that I have travelled 

of the utop rarlli u sf etnii]»n&L?x t\j vtnatad punib, ami hrmM Srsi jncifitililc L? Ihr Tly^t wbo uuJS Lvitesf 
iL UnI Lliii I fiiu* w n lUHlM by till usOTtinn lint U rtfli a UJLklt ukted, il wunW bt 
mminhatt'd sn titf nulti^tiafi of It si detkmi Urtl In tk* KiiHni^W Jiitriut, it Lwl, irlwft tit* 

Mucin in fcfaiifmhlf, Mm mil taw ykUl u flu* ■ mp ut lfr%>u il jiraliw*ii i^nij nan *pn. 

* Tbr Eb^hh ptmlri \\Tvi£i i» Ite Uyut fnmi t5hs Zwnfrt*Uf uiil vilbgr Wuhk’, tad olikiDdL hi* 
uwq „p,iu«i owtwt mil cili.rtirjM, thtj it* Bull, if W», ■i™ “f ^ u*'™ 

wmilthj Mr. Jtamtll, Cnminiuliiiuir *I Ailjrn™, ipiki of " tk tilnftHuu wtali, oiJft .mietiaii 

of lluiir (Ike [iLflntrn^t oiunn, arc frequrut], inur-timl lif tifii iruiflEn uul Jr^oJrut.. Ln dmnnim *iti 






























RFT.mn\ of Tin: rtANtuits to tul sunn. 


83 


through sevcrn] districts in Bengal and Behm-j nud I found rhe natives 
residing in the nei^hl.HjiirhuLHl of Indigo plnntntiuuLs mdenily better clothed 
and better conditioned tbau those who lived at a distance from such 
station*. There may bn some partial injury done by the Indigo Planter*; 
but, on the whole, they have performed more good tn Lti? getmrnliiy of the 
imtiveH of thin country than any other c\m* of Europeans, whether in or 
out of the service," 

Dwarhammth Tagore r another Inglily intelligent native gentleman f and 
competent witness also nays -* f 1 beg to state that I have several Zumeen^ 
darics in various district^ in id I have found that the cultivation of Indigo, 
and the residence of Europeans have considerably benefited the comm unity 
at large: the Ziunccmkus becoming wealthy and prosperous ; the Rvuts 
materially improved in thrir condition, and possessing many more comforts 
than the generality of tny countrymen, where Indigo cultivation and 
manufacture art* not carried ua; tic value of land in the vicinity greatly 
enhanced, and cultivation rapidly progressing/'* 

In concluding this subject it may not lie uninteresting to know the 
opinion which one amongst the mod laborious and talented of uiir Omentors 
General, Lord W. Bcntm.dk, raruc to upon the subject of Indigo planters 
at the time of the iinpiiry 1 have alluded to j because iL gin> so much 
weight to all that has been said, and can he said, on the subject of the 
important bearing which the conduct of European* has upon the condition 
of the pcoplc T ami of the good which they hare it in thrir jitii&tr to liestnw 
nro and them. The Governor General's " minuto H hints at much of the 
evils charged against the planters at that time, and the causes which pro¬ 
duced them; whilst it indicates that remedy which time has, no doubt, in mi 
large a measure already provided in an improved class, ol hjuropcojis now to 
be found in charge of Factories- Commenting on the aupposed misconduct 
ul' Planters towards the Eynts and each other,—'their peculiar position,—the 
disadvantage* thev laboured under in respect to bedding land,—in establish¬ 
ing their jn^t cliiiiru bv legal menu*,—in having ti> procure the plant 111 rough 
a system of #f advance* 11 — b ' in all branch e* of trade known to ucnidou much 
atihajTBMfluent, and to lead to much fraud ; J "—their having uo mean* of 
preventing encroachment of rinds, or of recovering their dues from needy 
and improvident Ryuts,—and, lastly* on the restriction upon Urn resort ul 
Europeans to the country,. eompcllmg tbc 1 muses of business tu employ 
persons ja the interior whom they would not have employed hud (hey 
possessed a wider scope of choice—Ills Lordship sayss tf But under all the 

afl tflh tt ftdilrt lemuti, wbdiicrjnillUe w priTjJt, tn vui empto?+" l'britolcr il#n 

viran^i Iq ||[| rent, ud hath till luiul aikil luiDi?clii tram Vintf siuod- uiTPiri- Urou 

Vlfajlmt in JnJL^o, whtnh hi: eiJifli, Jtns imlettJ Or frwm faTonnWe a? tb? UidI ' ll miir, 7 .mlrnifn, 

tu| Ihty appn nj |q Jw ten Irtirthi'iiiumc (hw* Uwjbh dF (Sc tuidrc iimltet. Ip wIidoi (luJ Hjrijl Wrindil odicrwiif 
ht aJiligfrti L> bivn rr(rtii«rw! fc p,i.«d w hittlw 11 Suiuidf " fm hh 

T rjjicn reUline t& SetitcHM-at of En^j™* w tidia- 













at 


hit UAL i.ife lift asjfnAi*. 


nbcve circuuLfitn free* of diHndvuutagrj the result of my mqumi* is ei Hrm 
peraunsion (contrary to this fioiuslwicin I bod previously been disposed to 
draw) that the occamoiuil misconduct of the planters in Aft untiling when 
contrasted with the ium of good they have diXTimed around them. In this, 
ns in other easesj the exceptions hiivu so attracted attentS on* m to be 
mistaken for a fair index of the grticraj course of things. I t rearing of the 
in-a.ee being necessarily brought to public notice* the individual instance* of 
im.Hconduct appear under the most aggrovoted colour*; but the 
rtamclww nuts, by which the prudent imd orderly, while quietly pursuing 
their own interests, have contributed to the national wealth, and to the 
comfort of those around them, are unnoticed or unknown. 1 am assured 
that much of the agrluidtHrul improvement which many of our district* 
exhibit may br directly traced to the Indigo pbriUrs therein settled i and, 
that, as j l giuiend truth, it may In- atate-d [with the exceptions which* in 
morale p all general truths rrqmrc to be mads,! that ciF.-ri Factory is iai if- 
degree theointre of a circle of improve me uU, raising the persons employed 
in it, and the inhabitants of the immediate vimnity, above the general level, 
Thu benefit in the individual eaaes may not be considerable, bnt it seem* to 
be sufficient to shew what might he hoped from a more liberal and en- 
lightened system^” 


May " a liberal and enlightened system” be the prevailing and reward¬ 
ing policy of the British planter in I ndia j and prove indued ^ufheient to 
show that " what might hr hoped for” from the mil ightemnept—the es ample 
anil superior power of educated English gentlemen, has been realised in 
the universally condfetscd ini pro ring condition of the many thousand* nt 
[hfKir, amidst whom an Almighty hmid r for great end* and jrarfH^es, bun placed 
them. 

I greatly wish to sue a 11 Planter's Calendar/* wherein—in addition to 
those tabular htetfintenta we see in the Calcutta paper*, of kf out-turns of 
Indigo for the siea^ou by the various factories through out the country, which 
arc published 1 believe nupre to gratify a little spirit of vanity as to the most 
successful phmtenddp, than for any real value in the iiiformntiori, conveyed— 
there should be a neponi/ table of statistic^ allowing the number of village* 
and Rvuts pt?rtaining to each Factory ;—the number of school# and hospital* 
eflinbllsbcd under its uospioes)—-of scholar* taught and patients treated y —- 
the number of ploughs and wire belonging to the Hynta;—the total value 
realised to them by their various crepe ;•—the number of unfortunates who 
w err in the hand* of the MnhujnUj and the number released,— together with 
the rates of mercnsc and decrease of population for the year, Such a table 
might indicate a noble subject for emulation, worthy the spirit—and such u 



















RELATION Oj TUJt tlAtCTEU TO TUB PfATIVES, flf, 


spirit I sec around wo hem—of those -who, rightly pruud of what thev hare 
rectum*— might hare far more cause for pride in what they have ghen. And 
then — 1 should like to Ik; tin Eoiperor, to present a jewrfUd medal to the 
moat successful competitor! 

Now,—baring been led into an epistle titrec times longer than ever I 
intended it should have been, and, 1 fear, quite exhausted vuar patience, 
1 shall reserve what T have nest to tell you about for another Letter. 



a feniCiAtME AliHWU 
























mui muiui^ 


LETTER V. 

Mtiftfjtfli Frftmuy WJik 

I 

The plant km which Indigo is obtained ifl mdi^iiiotis to India, It is 
grown all over the Bengal Presidency, and Nflfrth-Wc&t provinces,—in a 
portion of Madras, and to some small extent in Sindh, where, ns well ns in 
Burma h and Assam, the dye (which is said to Lave lietm ttsad in the East 
firm the earliest ngno 1 b roughly manufactured in trilling quantities by 
the natives. 

Fifty yean ago* before European -Li 11 and enterprise existed to any 
extent, the natives about Jcssore and kid mug bur* in Bengal, were in the 
habit of obtaining the dye in a very rough manner, and bringing the fecuk 
which was, of course* of the oommonest kind, in smatL earthen vessels, 
and offering it for *JiJe It is imtvriwaJly admitted thnt the Improvement 
in the quality of Bengal Indigo, which has enabled it in command so exten¬ 
sive and nearly es elusive a sale, is entirely to be attributed to British tdrill aiul 
capital. Bengal is reported to supply almost the whole consumption of Eng- 
Lands and in addition, a large proportion—which is said to be a* much U four- 
fifths—of the whole world. 

As to the cite tit of cultivation* the amount of produce fijf any one 
season can hardly furnish you with an idea, Thn mercantile record* for a 



i'BOVlNiOV ulf THK IMIIGO 


H7 


recent yaw?, for instance, alow a return of about 3,3fi8 torn, uf tD 

have been exported from Bengal to Great Britain, France, ami other places.* 
linuninuis sw Ibis quantity may 1 h>, it will probably not convey to 3*011 an 
iiupro^ion uf any tiling very rcrmufkablc ; but, faestrhg in mind t.lus aiuonnt, 
wkn I idl you that to produce one small cake of’this valuable material^ 
three inches and one-quarter s'jmLre (when dry), and about eight and a half 
ounces in weight, upward* of the thirtieth part uf an /«jra of plant is con¬ 
sumed, you wil], perhaps, bts better able to form an idea of the great extent 
of land nver which it is titivated. 

There are two descriptions of liadigo plant* The one let termed Dam (a 
term applied to any produce of Bengal), and the other ^country. The first 
is grown throughout the lower provinces upon lands not liable to early 
iuuudutioau. The " up country" upon lowlands where, consequent on thvk 
liability to inundation, it is an object to have the crop reaped four ur five 
weeks in advance nf the other; ii* growth being bo ran eh more rapid. The 
up-djEintry plant runs up in little mom than one Jffitpendkukr item, and 
require*, therefore, more seed to he xmd in sowing, whereas the Diwee 
plant p though it does not spring by any means so quickly, grows, if the sail 
he good, like a shrub—covens the whole surface of ilic ground* and generally 
™ld» a much larger quantity of plant per acre than the up-eunntry weed 
ever doe*. Tory little of the up-txmntry kind is used at Muhath, where the 
Jand is high, but a small quantity ia sown at Sook^%tir, where it i.-i much 
lower, 

In what are termed highdund Factories — not subject, therefore, to inun¬ 
dations— somewhat advantageous mean* present them selves of obtain iug a 
large supply of seed. After the usual crop has been eat, ft plough is run 
through the ground amongst the stubble* to loosen the soil, and give the plant 
iresdh strength. If the went her hr favourable afterwards it ahoota nut again 
]iLviirtant[y fc growing to more than half its original height. During October it 
a^dn ilowem, when a pod is formed, and in the mouth of December the plant 
is cut for seed. 

To a high-land Factor it is of importance to obtain m much of the seed 
tlHl poteiblc io this- manner, whether cultivated on his own account or on that 
nf the Ityut p and the advantage* he derives are two-fold—direct and indirect: 
first—-in his. obtaining a supply upon the gctitsin cnees of which he can 
depend; and secondly, in the money Ijeing BKpended amongst hij own ftyut*. 
SlionJd the original crop have been a good one, the seed-sup now to bo 
obtained fimni it is said to he a very profitable one to the Ifyril, hetwceii 
whom and the Planter there is gen trail y an tiudi^rstmiding that sneh iced 
should always be taken by the Factory at an average of four Boopera per 
maund, ("nibs.)—-a price which its sometimes under the market value, and 

" 14GS Tbt TjJao (if Elii* tipfirtJtiflB «u akmi I l.TAj, lflB IUk?^ ^ tteank at thf jrcir 

n3 > nabminn mt liilf dm S i-n>i( dJ Uir titbit Revolt. iliOW 4 itevrrm in a|JOrt*Lwi* o' uh^l 
*1 U Iuu Sm itnnmttid'f Cammirdaf Jnmmai, ] * ’> 9. 




















aumx, life in tiKsu.vL. 


S8 


wmuili[jicH much itbove it. In this uctd-rrup, .dso, anathrs ailvmtage offer, 
itself to tins Unit. On re-ploughing lie cut sow » crop of Kuhu*; (a kind of 
pulse, used an "food for cattle), or other such pi wit, mth the hduju, which it 
dots not in the least degree injure. He has thus two crops rowing in the 
B»me noil- Should the original crop have Wh lmfavoumblc, the Ryot is not 
ma&H to cultivate the Heed, as it would neither benefit himself nor the 
Factory. Tu this ease, therefore, he just ploughs it up, (tod sows whatever 
crop may please him. 

IndqM-ndL-ntly of seed obtained in this manner, a very large quantity of 
plant is sown expressly for seed in Hie month of June, The crop in enlti- 
Taled pi die usuid wuv,—reaped late ill November, an*! the produce, if 
belonging to the Ryut, taken to market far sale Like any other commodity. 
Plant thm sown, however, for seed, i* extremely expensive to cultivate. It 
ia never sown before the rain* have well set in, and require* to be kept 
so dean and well weeded (at a season the least favourable thereto}, that the 
expense incident to it? cultivation h snob that, unlcsi* the harvest be a good 
one, it can never repay the sower* Planters rarely, if ever, cultivate it. 
A crop of this kind., with many nth™ in Bengal, is grown entirely on their 
own account by Ryuts that are not needy—who can employ their spare time 
in attending to it, knowing it to h c one that wbU meet w ith ready sale. 
Under such eiroim stance^ as they have not either to pay, or be paid, for the 
labour of producing it, they can rest content with knowing that, whatever 
the result, it will be so mn ch clear gain, l.t is for similar reasons that 
natives can obtain advantages from sowing sugnr-caUG, which Europeans 
never can hope frr. The former employ? Ida own time mid that of hi a 
children h plough ers, and the hangers-on upon his family r in attending to the 
cultivation, which thttfL, costing him comparatively nothing, must iu its 
returns yield him nearly all profit. It becomes, in short, a kind of wind¬ 
fall; whereas the European* having to pay for all this bihour, might Ik? 
Likely to find himself a hundred roopees in pocket—and u hundred and fifty 
out / Sugar, the mulberry for silk, and pepper, are favourite crops with the 
native*, from the fact of n tm&ll extent of land yielding them a large return; 
and these thin g* are cultivated, ns I have observed., by the various depen¬ 
dents in a mm*s family. In some parts of the country, however, particularly 
I believe, in Jcfisore, partly it maybe front a Lavuiirabte nature of soil j Indigo 
intended for seed is sown by the natives, not only voluntarily but by choice, 
as one of the most profitable of their crops. 




V\> will now suppose that the t-eed has been obtained; when after being 
carefully winnowed and picked by women, who are employed for that 
purpose, it is k towed away in the Seed Guhthx, or Etore-btui5cs f —little 
circular buildings formed of mat and bamboo, covered with a thick thatch 
conical roof, resting cm a well-railed and arched foundation and door of 



















ftYSTJUIB OF Cl'LTIVAtlXfj I Ml 141 Cl, 


#9 


brick prtMflttting altogether tk> picttinaqiiu form an d 
English corn-rick. 


ftpf^arjmce af nil 



Tsrii ikm nyitt, 


Thu cultivation of ludiga it. the present <% J e conducted h, two 
llio one » tmut'd ihjutrr, und the other NttzaMtt. I n.Vf the Bm, or 
M * VrtUn1 ' tlie P ]ant » cultivated by the Kyoto upon their own gremwd ; 
t mt k, ground farmed by them from the Zumccmhir, or Planter, hr already 
eatpliiMd, but om nccemut of the latter. The other, or Neoahsul, which 
private cultivation, is where the Planter cultivates hk own land, 
on which ho employ* mtchmrdy his own labourer*. The profit and lows 
are thus, of comm^ entirely his own. 

t iiltivatioh iiiLilcr the RywtM system is after this nmnwT. Instead of 
gniiig^to the Uhiirioiiw Muhftjmj, the Rynt receive* from tho Planter the 
mpiudte sttjiply of seed to row, for which lie ia charged at the uniform rate 
o our annas (shout sixpence) for the rpiaiitity nceessmry to sow one faigg&ti t 
one t'ini of an acre of land* The cost to the Planter is rarely le*s than don* 

/ ** tuore frequently treble tlds amount, — hut the charge to the Rynt 

nr ^ ,r changed** At the same time he .receives an advance in money 
ur t j crop In expectancr. A written bond* or ##//<#, k signed by each 
party * a certain price being wmirrd to the Jtyut for Iijja Indigny ant! a 
vertatu quantity at least expected in return by the Planter, imeciniing in the 

nil* ] * J f jEftn ijniTp Iitdign .ml hjn f^rit i he PUdEvt from t^krshin Ifl tmtf Jbape#* 

1im , :iMrr H ' m " ’** V ™*™ 1 ]»r muiml, or lire fliwpeM p* H-ziiiTi of ndiiwtiiu. Iti pt*W% 

^'■‘rmoiii June* ^jr t.«n ttttdikwd Ittht " UntiilL”— till tbiiniuliiiH of j i frmal i fw*. mWAttnf 
uauunai Htifin will (tie I pper Piih1iu% form whence h lirgm quuitity nf «Td "si otfiuHni 





























It i ! iiAL LIFE iS HEN(!AL» 


m 


rinmititv of seed supplied and land pulrivatOfL The n*vlta we tutremr J 
variably mid dependent, of OWUW, in great part upon ***>"* A *"»' 
Ural will not null supply u return for Ids advance, but, it tlic «*asoii if 
ftnoireble, wry th'r beyond it; nnd a had one jWhly "W not <"™ n pay 
advance. This may argue til tier less ewe in ploughing and weeding, or leas 
menu, in reference tq implements and ability, and sometimes diuhrm^ty. an 
evil that would be frequent hut fur the activity of the i imitef imd lus cMuh- 
lisliuitnt, whose ihitv it is* to prevent Htu.li miarniiiliii t, _ 

In the ease I have just assumed, that of the Uynt not repaying even Ins 
advances, the deficit is curried to Ids debit, in order limt he may repay it, ‘ 
possible. bv he nett yea* cultivation. He receive hi* lr ^ u tl(hlu, «*' 
frotn which a certain portion only of hri debt in. deducted, in |l|1tr m tuoi t 
rate its pressure, tout enable him to get on, in the hope "I butter tort mm 
attending him the succeeding season. Hut whether fortune, or esi rtu>n, or 
wstt-in be at fault—of the sad adhesive tendency of debt, a melancholy 
ffiartmti t m has been afforded mo by a neighbouring Factory statemeut, 
showing a sum of Imd debts from those unpaid advances alone, ever a space 
of many years, to the extent of two Lues of liooiMX*—or tSU.OiMII 

In the system, however, yurt described, the Uyut is saved the loss attend* 
mg as&tance from the MnHjim, beam® by the Phmtcr he », °f 
charged luv interest whatever; but hence, also, have arisen himentn dc 

instances of double-dealing on the part of dimmest Ryuts which have led to 
those dispute* and breaches of the prime, at one time so senously extensive 
in Indigo districts between neighbouring Planters. The system of utwmre* 
is, indeed, the root of that great evil which for so long a time brought the 
character of the British planter into such sad disrepute, by representing him 
in the character of a fighting marauder, or lawless launder depredator, 
whilst, like Othello, “ perplexed in the extreme" he wfu, 1 am Jed to 
believe, in most instance^ only availing himself uf the roughest and readied., 
and, under the imperfect state of administration of the law, most effectual 
tnude «*f protecting his own rights and Interests—by taking tile law, ui short, 
jntcf hil own ljundi. 

Huk disturbances —now so rare everywhere, and in most districts 
altogether abolished, frequently an*' in this maimer : X dislmiicst Ryut 
would receive advances from a planter fur the cultivation ol 11 certain 
quantity of Indigo land; when on the perfection uf the plant, it 
ducuvered that tin- llvut ha>l token o, trainm from to n ptcmler* fir the. sajim' 
crop' The cutting time came, and one of tin planter* obtained hi form¬ 
ation its to the insecurity of liis Totcrcntv. He immediately appealed to 
the magistrate of the district, who w» perhaps thirty or forty miles off; 
but he passed an order on the DurOgsh, nr district police officer to proceed 
to live place—inquire into the matter, find fin what might be necessary. 
It was, however, just ninety-nine chances tmt of a hundred that thin 
worthv wonlii act according to the dictates of his own convenience, and 































riJLLIKlONN nnTWEEjS riASTTM*. 


1J1 


in favour of the ride wind* paid him the ]wiAmmeat for his interference 1 
—Or it might be that the Znmvi'.mhr, or his Xstili, stepped in + olVriug 
on Certain flMlditions of advantage to hmadi\ to exert hi* influence over 
the Ryute to assist in the matter. This i\m planter most likely refused to 
clo, whctmipou the mflrnmn thus pmfuretl was very probably thrown into 
the opponent^ wak, and thu planter called on tliV police to protect In. 
interns J but this notnricmdf corrupt body — that is the Darogab* or 
enarntive lu.ad dtcreof, hiring received a consideration from the opposite 
parties, took, of course, a very different view of tiu> case, whorempeu - the 
planter—the one whom l have burned hi be the more hudepondesit and 
ttm£tght-&rward of the d i*pii tnubr—found himself driven to the resource 
of sending out hi* otto fumed Huiprast^ to protect his rightful property, 
and thereupon a cdMon, «vcu with loss of life, became very far fttiiu nil 
impossible event. 

In mmt' o± these dispute*, the etui tending planters were both Europeans, 
but they were more likely to occur where mug wa* a native planter* for 
there wi re many more native planter* formerly than now, and in this case 
tbere were* it tuny readily be t*npposed t greater cJ^ments of difficulty in 
the Toy of an amicable adjustment. In the present day, however, at 
Ir.isL in the majority id district*,, not only luts a system of bon vj dories 
been iiiU'Ljdueed, which prevent!* disputes uf this dmractcr, hut the pos- 
r>-es:-iLjri by LnropeaJis in mi large a ilr^ruc at the proprietary right of 
~4>\\, making the Tiyuta their own tenants— renders their occurrence almost 
ijiipyiHihie, 

in the Xeezzibitd cultivation, which I have already oxpkmwb the planter 
hiu-no Byut or intormedinte JLgent hetween himself and the cultivatiiin of 
the noil, on which he employe exdimvdy his own labourers; and hence 
tills ftystcin i* a and ever was, free from all fears of disturbance. 


Having fiiimiiiiriEed you with the two systems acultivation, I have 
now to describe the manner, amt this nfcti k in two ways. First of all r vs to 
Ehe soih The richer this is the lieiter, and there sijoidd be good drainage 
to prevent any lodgment of water, When the sod is tbus favoiuahie 1 1 align 
may be sown in it mireiii ill i ugly for three or four year*—fcomeluiies even 
longer. It is t how ever p judicious to ehtuigc m soon a* it nm well be done, 
rota turn of empa l«.'ing essential everywhere; fur a! though il will nut appear 
"higular that a anil should become impoverished by continuous sowing of 
une kind, it may appear ^tranp 1 that She longer land is cultivated in Bengal 
for any one crop, the more expensive hecomt 1 ^ at^ mild vat™. Sr mij chow 
llie w, j■•!I - norm irm/ year in mnrajte. The more r'mjueiir tin- riihreatiou, 
particuUrly for any one crop, the greater the jilisuidanee of wild vegetation. 
The earth appear* teeming with the germ of life, which only requires to be 
frequently exposed to the air to spring into hmirkmee; and on digging u 

























HI'lLAI. LIFE TX BIS0A1*. 


m 


little deeper than iffiiinJp tins only result U to bring op * 0111 ^ fradi order of 
jiiniTlr that people hud seldom if ever seen btforti! In new i^ fc d, 011 the 
contrary* whence n ilotiftC! jungle \\m but just been rcniovii^—wdl th%i may 
not have been turned up for d century, rich hi strength, and full of the g^rni 
of rank vcgcUtioti, lit which ymi might suppose that hi ilie first instance a 
cmji would be u nailde to ttmteud willJi jibeI be choked by tln j quantity of 
weeds l hat. would appear* the very revere is the case. Buck hoil throws up 
sciHfO’lj any jungle, n iift ti^juircft very little ^L'ediug. So mill b tbi^ known 
in various parts of Bengal, tout alan in Ahnnm, where the country is very 
thinly peopled, that fnr many crops the ason? soil i» never cultivated fur more 
than one nr, perhaps* two years* Tim exuberance of jungle vegetation 1 
have jiifit dcacnb&flj iu a much !«*« degree under it syslmu of rotation, 
which seems to take up in turn certain principles in the earth llmt would 
otherwise go to the more abundant nourishment of weeds. 

Of the agri cultural law I have here referred to, futuHttn qf effo/w* p yon are 
probably already aware*-—and of its arising from the fact that when, after u 
certain time, n soil, from being exhausted of some certain principle in its 
nature, will no longer yield a particular produce, another* judiciously chosen* 
as requiring a different kind of nourishment, may advantfigncmiily l?e mwn iu 
it;—that there arc particular crops—ihos# culled ,h white crops," sncli a_s the 
various kinds of com, which are ^exhausting' 1 to the soil* and others,, 
termed “groan crops/ 3 that rather tend to ” a meliorate" it* With the 
ad vantage of this rotatioiij however* tin - : natives are even now only very 
partially ocfpi aimed,—-with its principles, as a mode of Following the laud, 
not at all. Tln-y know tlmt certain soil, suits particular crops, anil that 
gome plant * grow well after certain other?—as Rice after Chillecs, or Indigo, 
and rice term —but they know no more* and may ho said lo owe the syste¬ 
matic tntroducriofi of the practice* m far a* it extends, to the European. 
Thus* during the intervals of Indigo growth* a crop of Homo kind of pulse, 
or oft Mid, i^ generally sown and reaped in nuffident time to prevent inter¬ 
ference with the Indigo* sown in April* tn high laud Dietaries the planter 
hinisdf prolmhly, hm n portion of his land wilder MW oil-seed crop*—such 
as mustard, a seed from which an immense quantity of oil, commonly used 
by all native* of Bengal, both for culinary and tojlci purposes, is maiittfttc- 
fared. Generally speaking, however, (or private miUivatinn) Ls kept 
free from mti-rmnlinte crops* whereas in Ryiilce- cultivation, where a change 
of land is not available, the Indigo plant is no sooner cut iu August than the 
plough is in the ground again, and uiLsct-da of various kinds,, but chiefly 
mustard, ore grown. In one instance, nt least, another advantage attends 
this allcruatiou of crops, and that is in the case of the Tobacco pLanl + the 
soil for which having necessarily been carefully cultivated and manured, i? 
very favourable for Indigo; but by far the most marked and important 
advantage h found in the exchange which vs almost yearly afforded between 
the Rice and Indigo lands* to which reference wan made in my lust Letter. 
























AUmiLMJ* ill' 1 fcLTiVJtTlfm. 


!)& 


h* tin- month of October there is an agricultural |, retire here ntwilv 

“"J ° Wl ? ch v t l 1l ^ , ! r ^*' i tu t!,v m*™ to he.M^i, 

n ml UUl, |yectioiiable M1 Indln^-that of m,p,. Tl,, Rym* frequently 

lVl ' J tijt: Indijfo—apiutlT -I' umixf-:, variety of pfamls, that iron, 
tiu’ir Htnre mil not ovcffllmil.nv or choke the young lafiigq,—such !lh 
niiLnUint, wheat, ted, kulm-f, runt other descriptions of noise - just »» in 
hr.^ELtd «3psg™»_«ad in sown with wheel, which, alter the latter h» 

it-eu reaped, will m the emming summer afford a luxuriant Crr.p for the 
cuttle. 


1 have said that flu- mariner of cultivation is in two wavs. The firal, 
uhrdi may he termed ordinary cultivation hy aid of (ihnigh pad harrow,' 
requinsi at hast nt> preJhninujy expWtiDji; hut the second, which i>i 
termed ChUfttmx (nr scattering) in peculiar. J imagine, to India and tits 
Ade. \ou art* probably already aware tlmt i.lie Indian riven, are subject, 
like that of Egypt, to the niur-t extensive unmdsritnu. So ettnirire, indeed, 
that large tracts of laud upon their margins arc entirely submerged. These 
flnodsige continue for probably three months, and on the receding of the 
waters it is round that, consequent on the vast quantities of mil brought 
down by thc power of the stream, a tlspmt of soft sandy mud fin* taken 
place. This « formed a c&ur, The deposit varies in ihickne**, amending 
to place, from four inches to as much ns three and four foetf Here, tlien, 
is an MQBflirritaUy farmed bed, all ready for sowing. No ploughing, or 
mtmg, or other preparation is ueeenfmiy. Immediately that the water lias 
rccralwl. and before the deposit cun bear the weight of a num, the seed is 
Strewed over its surface, mid, like 11 bread cast upon the waters, to return 
nfrer ninny (lays," there left to germinate. Upon this kind of hud not 
only Indigo, hut rariotts descriptions of pulse and great, can sometimes 
be sown,- such ns ja'as, khrasrutre, mustard, tuber, miiMoorec and ehlufoi, 
or millet, which latter, coming to perfection in about two months, becomes 
Nemccahltf to the natives an when rici 1 may be ftcaree. 

In itime Factories the quantity i>f thittance laud may aniE>iiii!l tn a 
tFiinh or even to aa much jis one-half uf the wIioIb, and often mtidi run re* 
In this cane t lie cxp&pm of the ^tuDb me of enurne much lighter j but 
lliL'u the iitiecrtuinty, which ik ffrf:!it in all cased of Tow-land natin g j iumt 
he much greater in this r the jmindatioG muy rfat tier to return *—and. the 
and Planter's. Impea «re together, mid =ii on re, swept into thr fttrcuua! 

Indigti> though it have two HOasous ol r sowings may he £ahl to have but 
Gtifc of reapiiig—because the end of one nutting, and begiiniing of the 
oilier fkU ho closely together a# hardly to be separate ; and to unduiUtmul 
tliLSj a word or two rcspectiaij our hcuhojlh may be ucccuwary, Hie eokl 
west bur begin* about EvovcitibfcT, and enda in February. The hot season 
l , hi , n RurtH iby and in followed in Jtuic or July by the rain*, which La*t rili 
OetoWi It in to the Tmialile nature of thin latter Henson,, souaetuireH setting 
in early in June, and at others not until a much lister (Mr, |jerfi&jtH J uly, 
























B4 


IU r H-U, UTE IN 0KXIi.tLi 


thill so much of the uncertuiety* rh*k, and trouble attending the affairs oi 
the Planter sire attributable 

In high-land Factories, the sowings take place in the spring—that in 
any time sifter L-Vbruwy, when there Lb sufficient warmth slikI moisture from 
ligh t ruin (of which wc gimernlLv have a little about Christmas)* to rentier 
sowing of any avail In gum ml, however, this operation eon seldom take 
phiee before April* because tin: various mips,—such as wheat; hurley, 
mlmet-Oj must aiiI, linseed* ehflleev, and other*,—have iirsl to be removed* 
and the earth re-mkivaled. 

In, Imr-luiul factories, nr wherever lowlands are occupied by planters* 
tfue first ^livings occur in October, and have* therefore, already taken 
plaer in some few' parts of Mnlnatli. Them sowings are confined to laud* 
wliieh have been inund*kd, and after the waters hare recedijd, retain 
a sufficient amount of moJatnre to pause vegetation* and at this pgnod* 
of course the ChLttftiiee sowings also occur. Now, whilst these latter are 
immediately imperative from the nature of the isosl* which if not sown at oiiee 
would dry up, the former are not less so from equally pruning consider- 
Atirms, Thus,—the spring sowinga take plane, as I have raid,. alum it April, 
and tin* rains and inundations set in Kometmtes in June or July, Seed, 
there fores sown in lowland in April f would not arrive at maturity in time 
to he cut ere the inundation* of July would, in all probability/ he in and 
destroy* them. The advantage, thmifort, of A crop m-uw'u in snub ground 
in October, albeit, little or no growth takes place in the odd weather that 


ensure, ia an udnwred mMc */ prnfutraHm nf tb& plant, which has at least 
taken root and gives a cwp, nt the ctmrnieiiceniviit of the manufacturing, full 

ttiv weeks ear tier than th# spring-^ winga, 
under the most favour able circumstances 
could possibly do ; thus making large 
tracts of land throughout Bengal extremely 
valuable for the cultivation of Indigo which would 
otherwise, from the risk incident to the rising of 
the rivers in July, be of Little semra or import¬ 
ance. The same system is sometimes adopted in 
high temda—where the mil may be bad, and plant 
sown in spring would probably Ml from the ex¬ 
treme tLryueHB of the earth* and luteimi of rain. 
Sown in September or October, it has the advan¬ 
tage of rain in. tlione months, and thus takes rout 
and strengthens sufficiently to resist the scorching 
sunn of the hoi weather^ 

The operation* of the plough have at loat cum- 
meured about Mubuith; not only preparatory to the 
cultivation of Indigo, but to the rice rowings which occur shnultanraindy 
with it. Independently of several scare—m^r, hundreds of minor duuiic- 



tm U k tt BCT- 



















MSiii L.tii inetiLiiTV or tin; jm«* ,, L , vr 


$5 


(ions in kind, fur too numerous, therefore tu n ,,n, *1 

prmdpu] description* of rice m,d tfirv , r ' tw ° 

is «Ukd tl,!. Cto tX££?J ,h ?‘r ^ ^ 

Tin- other is termed Aww i Ohm, or tin- huiit i 1 T- i”^'' Ul All ' rri * t 

in . f r tw *«- szsz+z 

" latter, whidt reqmre, n well-wetted soil for it, cultivation i„ CbJrt 
Oe^mrjdly tn oerUun low lands, not s«bj«* to - udl W “ 

“** ■» “ -™ ^ther. In tU. 2 S XJS 
... water leading tosuch lands are shut ..If until the Olu Bhmi, which 
ripens ere the A,nun Blum is oven i, t tar , hi* been reaped. 

very MuguW urn) interesting fact, strongly illustrative of tl... ^ » 

-Lr^ol Pnmd T"' " ,:n,,1,eeted Option D f h™ 

Annin Dhan-m the remarkable „r,d Imppy property « „ f 

nsiug in growth, during th* inundation*, to almost m mdimLl 2 lt 
in i m short, the water erase* to increase about it, \VHfct the inundation 

frith it m growth, ^ ever to i,rp the mtoW walrr . wheme* i« the 

thX‘Il Tf—'T pl - nt retaia9 tl,E " llil1 “* ma * aatc *»* 

i . ^ lcre assurea m P that lit! Lem known it daring heuw 

£T^T rise seven and eight feet i„ height ; MH | in the B^dbL tu Z 
district where tins description of rice is mud. eulthhUrd, he has |,mrd of X 
reaching the enormous deration of twenty feet! Bnt, bcvnM CTl ,„ thi* f 

have the author,ty of another Wend, Mr. M -of Lokuathpo^ for Vl„ 

Hr. of its harnig tin almost incredible length of thirty,. f«t < 

I say length because i u flowing or disturbed water the stalk would 

; M,] th “ P°*f^ m l 1,ire many more feet in length than the mere 
hiptii et water would indicate. In short, whilst, a* 1 have said, the ]W 

" f 7 fCr “ "' ,tllPr t,KJ “** ti® rapid, there really « ppH uw no limit 

to the power of growth hi this wonderful and valuable spedfls of rfce. 

Not only are there two di^riptions of thh important grain, hut two status 
or prepamtimm of it brought to market. The first, which is ejdl.il "Jnnrr » 

18 nri: tiir^hmi, or perHap, f should say liuskd, in its natural state, ^ 
y Jii set it m Lug]and,the gniiu being small and white; mid acerirdiug to (lit 1 
unlive doctor here, is the most nourishing. Tins other, or “ 

,K tJl f nf ' e aft ' rr lt h[Ul h™*> par-boiled, and thus has not onlv swollen, nod 
acquired n dark tint, and, on bdng cooked, a disagreeable odour. Lot has 
Line n portion of it- ontritintis property, and is, iherefon-, the least nourisii- 
Tile Boctor, as one homely crideuce hereof, declares that a native 
liavmg taken a meal on Anritr dec, will not hun-vr again within the same 
time that he would do had lie fed itfajii R}wu,rjtvur. The jwixtss of per- 
hmlmg is r&Etnl by steeping the poddy toer night—sthnning oil’ the 
watcjf 111 t,u ' ntoniiiig, when the grain is found swollen and the husk cracked, 
tuid heating it in earthen vessels to some requisite degree Over a fire. Tin- 
r c| pprntio[fc its to ^cilitam timt tit" kaHkin^ • the work pf 































nrnu. li i jj in iu:vu.u. 


00 




or treading i■ 11[, having imly repanvltni ih- pcitltlv from the our), and atl^n 
to Bare the waste io broken grain mid ritfe dust oecnsiimcd by lurking the 
grain hi k- diy iUiti^ Hbii^ this description of rue is very considerably 
cheaper, aibjil hi almo-t exclusive in- by th* poorer natives.■ whilst the- 
Arnmr *'limit Ih iiach! by liurnpeansj and hence ruiumonly know in the City 
as Table like," in sold ill Hourly dimhlo the &&%<* 

The fiprratkrus of Ini.nlKiitdry in India, you may suppose, retsuii ail the 
simplicity of primitive times* m recorded in our fekriptiirr^ The oxen 
titod out hi i tli the corn runt the rk.% ami two women urn he re hccii husking 

the Latter under a Dhntkrr 
■l.h elsewhere they may be 
seen “grinding at Hie mill / 1 
—precisely as we are left 
to pieton? them in the 
ikv& of the Jewish Patri- 
cirelm three thousand years 

ago. Tlte ,f DIiLmke€ JI 1 
have mentioned ta simply 
naideti beam, wurk- 
u pivot near its 
end, on which the 
women treat! wish one foot 
in order tea raise the longer 
and heavier lever, Inning at the upper extremity a short perpendicular bar, 
or pestle, under which* w ithin a clip, hollowed nut of womb the grain is 
pushed and beaten* The same iiiitmniei1 1 is iiKcd for pi winding bricks into 
sourkec, an Indian Hohatitiite for gravel, anil tor sand f when that material 
U not available, in the preparation of mortar. 


ftrk oil LPLCL, lib kJi. i -in iiim j ml I 




* A ^frrrnrr rRjpwtfirg «imw qarpEbn mtmtdil wfcft tkh matter to in rnha-Jlrjtrcni natira; elicited 
ihi futbru^ liLfiinani ioji rpon Um mbjiwt. Under obricmi iceupLAtina it b praunltHl In Um — 

M "tllepp ire i*rj ^pp-nt iuTii citJi-rr ™T wlikk Piddiri ai-^n-nHj nadir^a lie-^bfv riMi u utracteJ fraiq 
ibrni. ibr uiu< trjwihijia ibem m l^nl ouJj, n-uA ikr ulhei hn Ithorn lu be Uuiteii in uJJici-jii. TJu 
rirr nkicti id m/jiiu kj t| L ^ fen-L iijirnHiuii m mlkiJ Arwiu firidj i? of n timi'h wliLti r mil drnnir fiat, wlulr 
skill prc|iU.rnJ by Ibr ^r^Uil. Lm,*n u H.iui!jjc, thin ■ cfcl&F roiiijKii-DliTEkj dark. If from nijiinl 
i|imiihtii?* I'luliljf uf f.Lr nujrar jiaEli-m, Artfa aimI Bngfijiir Nr< In- rj’f.Jicrtbdy JJirtpiLfrJ, Ibi ■■! 

Amn pnAiiml, hiUpi Tull ■hurt tu a luilrr ii f*uUi» anil return iN Lu!ir.rr n i lih !■ iknu^h 

Ir-nliu^ u[H:rhIiMti Ik-pw aritt'i ihr Ji-hn^lMrii rf |ifi«i ibr rim alhitkcl Ln Llic olqc-rt uf 

iuuLTih' Jf-jui.jMJ- nb!irti i^-rShibiL Eu kt¥[i the rUx naEin^.rn jJuJ tulirc, niiJ I’.i dUrnTma parfi n[ its owul-c 
I n cTfliigrali-, BilmiiiiBS^r fct liabbia* ^rnl ii|i4i*pLiitiiliSj ^tiirJt fSi^ifinn. 

Arw» ibid rieB is in bilnriJ u^H b uf n manner inrs ; it n h(it nsdi mn] m Ui-h^aI. rsn pl 

S]J Lku« whfs fwtS hilt uEim tihy T|mi msninnt bw piicM q( ludj* niliUr* (tflUDlLUjI it* Wfttdmil 

iliilj tej ii- TUral, Jill ^ filinl .Winn ii tili!LT fi.--J. 4tid lxtiflcs Liii.i, uu Ikn rli’inU ll llrvy uf vl rjj 

ITIMD, (1»7 rinil *Lric1 Lj L4 Dull tuA mn drink a limp n.T wqlK. Etctj ^>lt nf t^lilj wilh'int 
rekfiiticr to Ot» lif Aiatsu hit iirmlsrEoc lislh cf LIim.i «jrl \r«B, birt Aiwa jkJt[iiLrcd frinu Annul t>Jau 
ii nan^li wiJjiwj-icir in jiuriSy, nnd ii rane]L EieJ.t lh ulimOigu fcj Ihl nuti™,” 





















SATIVI! AOmc|(LtT|lB-HRtO»n 5 IS'B, 


or 


^ rnfftni" lll L°| nf f Lc pre *' lit: %r despite its eamwetian with 

llU ^ >e,t v litU ° OT0D iwpWteimt, 1 understand, upm 

X^St/TT a@ ° 0t " ,lt ° m 0f *"*-» **“• * B»ter +iJL 
tJL rt ' nj,pC “" *° U * becu ItrtradiiMd into Indian agriouW 
i.rVJ'.T' ™ , ^ , / i,ll l' t[dl > ” f struct™ in it* imp] cm cuts now 
” I^ wL[ " Uniting* experimental Ued 

w th, ItrM ‘tT ^ tafo “ !t - Th* Bengalee Plntigh, 

. 1 ! W ' ]l, ‘ M y 1 shoH y° a - * “W "I" tW- 4npk»t pirn* of nntrdtr von 

esn imagine, llio nicetv of * * 

construction —the complicated 
parts—the well considered and 
niatlji'matii.'ally determined rm- 
ffleB and siirfjices—veutffs of 
resistance and centres of ac¬ 
tion, of an English plough, are 
aimost independently set nt 
naught. There k, in short, 
nothing tout a square*pointed 
noodon coulter, shod with iron, 
that plays t|,e part also of ,htnr, 
the upper part of which, at an 

22*1 th 5? y J 11 ™ *«"» ftr stm, with a short handle at 

o i , * winch the ploughman guides and depresses the instrument. 



ti #iTOH r 



rMBbpf^ 


Through the centre of the thicker portion, where the stilt and coulter may 
‘ tsaitl to unite, a straight beam passes, to the md of which the dams? 































iif hal urn is pesoal. 


m 


i oil*- i* attached, am] the whole, when in me, i* brftoed together by ropes 
tied from the atilt to the yoke. Bullocks are of eon™ used for iu drought, 
between winch the ploughman seeing alteruifely to ti*o his handi in guiding 
the plough by itn one handle, and hip cattle by their toils. Here—as the 
upper port of the conker prt’Nmt* n surface little more than three inches 
in breadth, offering tittle reristanee to the and there Is, in short, no 
really rtrienttfir principle brought into play to give the instrument any one 
self-guiding or #clf-snwtaiiiiBg action—the labour of tilling may be said to he 
divided between the bullock* suid the nmn H who has to throw in lik weight 
and strength in order to keep the plough in the earth, over itome obstinate 
sods of which, untwithatimding, it wall he seen evely now and then to skip 
and hop, as though, like many plodding easy-going brings of human kind, 
it thought obstacles were much better avoided than contended with. As 
for filmm it ift seldom more than three nr four inches in depth. The earth, 
in short, \* in mam places little more than wretched! Vet, with this 
rode and apparently most inefficient instrument m nearly the whole Mirfroco 
of the vast plains of India tilled ; ondj indebted under a beneficent CreatoT 
to its generous and prolific sail, are luxuriant crop of every kind abundantly 
reared and reaped by its uneducated inhabitants. 



ftifeiraff-ftra. 


Little help* infleriL Aom our Indian soil recrive from the hunbandjitaii: 
for the principal and more extensive ciiltivatious, none at alL For a few of 
the minor and limited empn, such as Tobacco, the ground is manured* and 
possibly a small portion of land near a Factory may partially receive a like 
advantage for Indigo. When the mjiI hm Ijecome weakened it is simply 
allowed to lie fallow, and cattle are probably turned into it to groaej 
after which perhaps it may yield good tlndclling-grass before being again 
brought under cultivation for the regular erapa. Sometimes the land lies 
















N ATI VE A tunc V LTL T |l R-H AH«0 W IS 0 # 


liillow from mere wont of Dnu to cultivate it■ and here and there kin 
|jatch»i of poor soil are found which no means are taken to improve, and 
»iti therefore only |*™luce tin** craps re^firing the fast possible nourish- 
|Mot {fom tfit iis Ted—I'rliur—aud other preen prodm*. 

The ground is now ploughed, And ready for tlte nert operation : and if 
you think An Indian plough a rustic aifair, what think you «f an Indian 
harrow?—an old bamboo ladder-pulled Over the ploughed ground bv three 
or four bullocks Abreast, a couple of plough,non standing on the ladder- 
holding dm, driving and guiding the umdiko hy the bullocks’ tails'—Can 
Simplicity go farther ?—And when at eve— 

" Vht pbafbmAii kmbL-iriftl tJLniji lit* mast way,_ 1 

lie shoulders Lis light plough and barrow together, as they were hut a 
imittock qjhI a ! 

the apkniluml bullock* arc fed principally on the luiciihkaird lands 
n, the neighbourhood of the village * but eternal are the complaints, albeit 
frcqneut the flues inflicted on the owners of cat Me trespassing amongst the 
Indigo, and destroying its valuable leaves. Bullocks used for the transport 
of goods from one market | 0 another are fed principally upon khad, or oil- 
cakes and chopped straw, of which they are very fond, and, beyond this, 
whatever grass they cun manage to pick „p in their way. Were I in the 
City, where crucify to the poor over-worked bullocks U u crying sin and 
shame, I should assuredly here require n vent for my indignation, hut 1 *m 
happy to say that the discredit and the cruelty uf mutilated tails and galled 
humps appear to lie confined in the town—far I, at least, have observed 
nothing of the kind to disfigure rural life here, or detract from the pleasure 
of its KOMteIllation, 



hill uiiITl, 






























ixnurci to ehisith, itii im, 


LETTER VL 


.1 ftttmith -April I Si/A. 

Mr last dcscriljed the agricultural doings here ns having brought the 
ground into n state of preparation lor ncc-cI* and that is a* much as generally 
uikt- place in the month of Fibniury, Should ruin dliatma to fall a nffia ten tly 
early „ the *priiif’*awmgs may commence in March, in which event the 
Planter consider* himself fortunate, Such sowings arc gcnondl} 1 the tx-st, 
because the plant ? by being iu the puund early p attains u Butlicicnt degree 
of strength before the hot weather Beta in to bear it better than a younger 
plant could do j. but, as a general mle> there lo addon] reason to look for 
any extennive m wings before April* That lime has arrived* and the regular 
spring-sow inga have for several days been hi active operation around Mid- 
niith. Of these operations but little description b required. Tbs seed is 
hotm by ilia simple proci^ of h^ul-strewing,—the elod-breoking harrow is 
spin passed over the ground* arid the work is done. 

Besides tliOiG of Indigo aud Rice, the rowings of the present month 
include a variety of other product, as Hemp, of which there are three 
descriptions^—FeppcTj Turmeric, Man Kuchoo, and Gonroo Kuchoo, species 
of the Egyptian Amm*—Sweet Potato—Ginger, nnd Sugar-cane—an article 
but little cultivated by the people., consequent on the trouble and expense it 

















NATIVE DW^VUNft*. 


101 


occasions* and the little eisconra^eTneiit otTcrcd, at least in the districts about 
here, lor its production. 

As generally anticipated, about this period there has- been a little rain, 
n ltd* b eonserpuciiof, a rapid change has come tiler the whole surface of the 
conn try, So rapid, indeed, are the operation* of nature in this fertile soil, 
that wit !ii n aim lie forty-eight hours the Indigo germinates* and shews itself 
above the ground, find in six or se ven days tile whole fields arc covered with 
plant,—probably half an inch high, From a sterile, burnt-up nppeanmea, 
therefore, the country around la now tnuisibimed into a sheet of beautiful 
cultivation springug from the ground ' t the dark line of the Tiirligo licatitifiiUy 
relieved by the delicate light green of the H ici‘ fields. Indeed, the whole 
place is brightening into life and verdure, and despite the Ihft-iucrcMiiig 
power of the sun, every object around is acquiring a more interesting aspect. 
Amongst them* let me not forget the village of Mulh&tb* which l Imve not 
hitherto named—almost hidden from view by jungle, thickset hedge*, 
and trees. Here the Factory iwirauts or the humble kind have their resi¬ 
dences,—of which 1 can only stay that, like all native dwellings, they arc 
more conducive to the picturesque of a drawing* than to the comfort of 
their inhabitants. Principally formed nf mud, plastered over a frame work 
of bamboo, with one narrow door-way, mid a hole of probably a foot square 
for a window, and a mud floor* what comfort eon there exist within ? 

No furniture?—yon inquire, Indeed, were I to euy name, 1 should 
lie but little from the truth*—for I believe that in ninety-nine out of one 
hundred coses* the following would he found an inventory of the household 
goods and chattels of a Bengalee of the humble* if I may not include the 
middling—classes :— 

One nr ItotUiHid.— 1 Tm® W«dam 5 eb 1 p,—O ur Oramna ttnL 

Two or time IJfnj* Likljili a wt icnnEE wiltr vattU ■ -Twy Cutikiu^ Uhi,\* t ar jttnu 

One Uric PfLLM I'liiln, ur diiTi.—One JvLii tiIl 1 ; LT LasiLD \ 

To wliich may be added a Cboolha, or (wthem fire vessel, in which to cook 
the rice, and two or three Klioubees or water vessels ;—the collective value 
of which might amount to about Four Roopees, or eight shilling?- 1 

Happily for the poor of Bengal, m tew arc their wain*, and so cheap 
their food** that when con*[tiering the "pole chilling want" of Europe, 
where the real pstngB of pofoitj in extremity of climate, on: alone fcJt b 
their full b curare, its pH rations here arc, in comparison, almost JUm-cxititeut 
in the balance. But truly, whatever their mean* may he T the Bengalee 
appear to have little idea of comfort in common with our own ; and it 
is perhaps the more remarkable, after being so long associated with European* 
(I speak more particularly of those in the city)* that they should have 
picked up so few" notions of jtcrsonuJ comfort or convenience around them 

* 1056, Tt*ia3c* Efi ih± " Kifuilt 11 —ifcj* ind* of thin^i he- br=u «wIIt duand. Feed l» 

h$w dammit (Ei fffnsmr pri« 4 ami tiu reason ugmn Ike jitfjlta, m rime* ami tawni* is ft*cro 























BUBAL LjrB IS HENfi.VL, 


103 


iii ftfcapc of iIiHuefltic Furniture or u ton Nils of the humblest character; not 
11 triced requiring the expenditure of money so much sw the application of 
a little ingenuity, a trill e of personal eiert [i>n n an it a inodirum of taste* 
It iMvrtain. however, after fill, that tliw thing* are matter^ of +duLation T 
amj thm, perhaps "is&mplfc 11 m not iritrny* better then 14 precept/ 1 They 
are re dependent on each other. Indian iLotions of comfort lie tritAout 
not W/Am doom. They are emmeetod with an increase of the plot of ground 
qr plantation, or the number of cattle attached to it ; and when by industry 
or thrift ml addition is made to worldly stare, the only altcnuinu it creates 
within doors is probably the addition of a ponderous looking wooden treasure 
box, in which to itore whatever Hide increase of means may have accuiu u- 
lnted r together with the jew els of the women—Fimdiy account-books, and 
possibly a few brass veasda* which are thought sufficiently valuable to tempt 
cupidity* 



5tia(BT PL*?*. 


Attaehrd, or tiPar to the village mid the river nIiIc, is tin* little market' 
jtlrtcc, when, upon every Wednesday and Saturday, a Nil ft f or provision mid 
genernl market, is held fur the hem-fit of the poor people around. 

The iwideni** of the higher servant* of the Factory, such as the 
fimniutah, Sircars, or writers, and other*—all of whom generally have u bevy 
of relatives, dvjK-mhuitu and uwifltaot* about thetn—are found very prettily 
situated near to the house at one side of the avenue skirting the garden 
ground*, where lofty fir-tree*, the babool, and the wide spreading baiiyan 
give beauty and shelter to the spot. 















Tnr. iNflAH* WEfvmcivT, 


loa 



dtmbiich nr Kuu> lEari'Ti 


Jprti Mrt, 

A * every age luu its bom—<?ray country its pb&Daophcr, poc^ or cither 
cons] heinous pt rtoH, so LWiy village woidd appear to have it* « character/* 
MuLunth, amount others, ban its w Foul/ J hike most of the dramatic 
ptx j t s tool*, hflureTPfj hr of Muinntli — i] l* ni li 1 1 hi? may m: l k■ *- no outward 
display of them— appear* to have u pdrtitai of Ids wit» p at Least, about him. 
Ho keeps them, probably, ma a wi?e man ikw 1 * his purse N bid in u safe pocket 
fill necessity demand* itw use. Our friend here without Ids wits contrives to 
kt^p bimecif in fhod and lodging, which is wbut many people elsewhere, with 
all their wits about them, have* great difficulty in doing* lie is a MoositL 
mhy t and continually ejaculating with pious vehemence the Mohtlfumluhin 
declaration of-— Z*rj Eifah ii-fii Ciinh r Mo hum m ttd^u r+Rit&xn n f UlteA? — which 
he conclude* with an eideuuatmii of Maht&df—Mnhwdf [the Deity], re¬ 
peated many times over* Walk which way we may* Mr. F- anti | 

generally find this poor fetlow at our lireh, ins approach bring ii nan ably 
nxiiMj wooed by the prcmomt^ir exedonmtiem of Ul/ah ifufowri' Mohood *■— 
when. B corning tip and stopping aburt, hr makes n profound mid rrspecifol 
Biiifttn, bending hi* body nearly to the gnmud T and rising with closed hand* 
mid inclined head, stand* the very picture of re-ogimtion and humility,, until 
a n urd Jruin my host eiHipunitgcp him to *pcak- — to pray — to praise— tu Utop, 























104 


1U-B.1I, LIFE IN HENfi.lL. 


ami to beg by turns. He wonts a dwgvh (literally a place nf flitting or r ^ 1 - 
fog\—^whore be can p.ray to God, and bless tile “iihibt u 1 want no «lie— 
1 u nit no wealth—1 want only it fhtrprk, where T inn wornldp God. and pray 
for master !—Lltofi Mabood T-taA then, w* though transfixed by o paralytic 
dtmhe. lie recliifles Id* bunds, and falls into his original attitude of immovable 

anil profound humility, . . . , , 

This morning, whilst out sketching, the sound ot lllahMabaad: had 
scareulv struck upon my ear wheu be was at my side, and nmkii^ his custo¬ 
mary deep sulbriL he aid—"Child, I am in great tumble-1 can not get 
bread I' 1 —"Indeed! (said 1) can you not workV" "No, (he replied, 
instantlv assuming an air ami tone of great gaiety, as though rejoicing at 
his ignorance),—No, 1 cannot do that;—all the work that l know ie — i ay mg 
down Lis staff, anti elevating Lis voice tu the usual exclamatory pitch )-U 
Eilah it-M UUah, MtihimMitiUur-Riomol DWuA/—There! that’s the work that 
I know — Llmt’s all !—Ln FMuh i/-fit Viltth, Mukxm»uid^r-RiutQoi UUah ' 
ending as usual with the exclamatory cry of Mtthatid! A trifle -w hich I 
afterward* found Lc allowed to everybody ns Jib went—no bad evidence it 
may lie thought of Lis insanity—sent him on hi- way rejoicing. 

The history of this poor man would appeal to be a Me 1 enmmMil on 
the state of tin rues tic morality — or immorality, which is declared to exist more 
than would be supposed probable amongst the lower orders of India, lie is 
said to llave been poisoned by his unfaithful wife; who, anxious to lie 
ridded of liis authority, administered, not the 
" leprous distil in ent ol l lie juice of henbane, 
hut of the Dfntfavra, or Thom Apple, which, 
failing to ” effect her more deadly purimsc,” drove 
the poor fellow into rating madness, and finally 
left him permanently bereft of Lis reason, He has 
of lute, however, greatly improved. At one period 
he whs so violent and (kiificruiiSj as to require to lie 
Land-cuffed, but he has so far recovered ns to have 
become harmless and good humoured — roaming 
about the neighbourhood in the character of n 
religious mendicant, and exciting alike the charity 
of the Hindoo, anil (he pious contributions of " the 
Faithful," 

Beyond what 1 have already told you, the present 
month of April, 1 find, offers nothing that can parti¬ 
cularly interest you in Mofussul, or Planter's liie 
and doings j—but I may mention that ou the 12th of 
this month the Bengalee year begin*, and as oil 
■“■au,™ misi ■ni*., jt, account* and agri-f-noeulo run in accordance with the 
Bengalee year, its commencement sometimes brings with it ft variety of 
* Thrra ii tin ft yte Btiug icr G&Jj but Cnd ^ anil HufcdiHHUl L* Uii 






















rAiunnTis oi ! *ou tupkes. 


105 



cares and vnie ties to the Planter contented with Esarah*. nr farms held 
from ZnmMUtbr*, the renewal of which from year to year often causes much 

trouble and uspmBft* , k 

Tin- mpnth r if May tliiili MbWB p is generally one only of progression nt iln* 

crofia,—and burning heat, when the Planter's rifle*, though perhaps less fie- 
qnent arc more trying; He rises Hint start* earlier; anil if detained late atrrmul, 
only rides the hr,tiler to get in again from the s.m; whilst hav the imn.em.is 
tleiKription* of sola top*, or pith hot a, which the ingenuity or whims of Mofits- 
sul folk have invented hr » protection from the temhle solar beams, he sheets 
the thickset and largest he can find, or adds a curtain behind a* a farther 
pmlirtiou to the neck. So essential und so valuable lire these articles, ami 
la dmrtderiatie of Mafhwd lift—ami so odd withal in their *&****<* that 
thi'v merit not only a passing word, but on illustration also- 

'gob liats, I should premise, arc made of the pith of a marshy plant. the 
Phoal ,%h, or light sponge wood, a material whirl, from its l&t** F™it- 
ting the hats to befall half an inch in thickness, is admira¬ 
bly"suited for the purpose. Fur distinction sake, I must 
needs confer upon them stick name* as their shapes may 
p., suggest. The first, or *Wrie Unt, since the introduc¬ 
tion af the i...mortal '‘Napier Topee." seems to Imre been pitied as old 

fashioned_ill-fitting, ami uncomfortable, and is hence discarded. The nest, 

or Great ifwArwwi Toper, i* frequently about a foot 
ami a half across the bahC, and (like sever*! _oftm of 
tills class! Is a hat with a double roof, with boles 
pierced through the upper part of the inner one to 
admit the uir. No, 3, or Lem-r Mvkmm Top*, 
ditiers in nothing from the Greater 
but in bring flatter and smaller. 

remarkable for tbrir eccentricity of form, the neat, or 
No. 4, for which I lack a name, «m be distinguished fcf 
,tkii mnnuu wo. nothing but its unmitigated tastelcssnes* 
and vulgarity. No. 5, or tAe Ban,, b nothing more than tin f t 
Fanui r's hut, pierced nt tlie top. and covered with a vu*H- y 

room roof; whilst No. ft, or the TaadHool, ^ 
i« a monstrosity that sets comment mid 
good tnMc id ike at defiance!—hut it is a 
capital perfection nevertheW All tit®* are of the old 
school. At the bead of the modem and more approved 
description stands the celebrated "A'opirr 
7hp*f ” —introduced, t believe, by our late gallant Com* 
mander-ia-Cbief Sir Charles Napier. The good tmde, 
convenient shape and proportions that distinguish t is < 
which is made of grey or drab felt, and bit* th c e egant 
form, indeed, of the helmet, have commended it to the 




tut h.UJ.it JfBilLllWri TUHV+ 

Whilst these are 




tum tuuT Tflrxri. 


TDL Btia JS|(>P 



filti TtuJUTlhfh irrti, 


































It 1 IE iL LIFT IN BEXG.VIm 


100 



tar, i 4 P» PTTRPi, 



*w 

tui n-iiip j Tultin 



THi HUT ntfi, 


patronage of all. It L» used by officers in the army (to whom 
it must Jia invaluable), and private individuals, It has lately 
been improved hv the addition of an opening for ventilation at 
the upper part, Btimetimt* bo placed os to represent the crest, 
mid thus to increase its helmet-likc nppamocr, whilst a white 
iji blue muslin scurf, ot turban, is wound around the lower part 
of it. The UStmter’x "Naffar* 1 which is made of Sola, mid 
covered, ns all the rest arc, with white linen, is lew elegant, but 
inure effiectual, Tiic two peaks tuv more projective; anil 
to the hinder part, in place of the ends of u scarf, ju in 
the original “\apier" just sera, there is a Hitched a 
curtain to protect that part of the human frame—the 
na[ie of the neck, or upper part of the spine, which i> 
said to bo more susceptible than even the head itself to 
injury from the aim. No. 11, or tile Jockey, i.v a further 

modification of the “Napier/' and a further and tudicroUB 
departure from its elegance of form, To these that, 
belong (tho first '"Napier” excepted) almost raclusiwsly 
to the Mafnsml, may be added the common Military ot 
x,,r, J Undrew Cdp t with a loose wliite cover, which being 
wadiltil with cotton, and ratending down the nujie of the Lieut, though not 
equal in efficiency to the others for long eijuamrc, is yet a very serviceable, 
neat, and comfortable covering, width Las liecii extensively 
introduced iuto the army. There is another description of 
Topee, worn by gentlemen in the City and elsewbWe, in their 
morning or biuinasa peregrinations,—a fcJt "wide awake/' 
around which a white "piigrcc," nr muslin 
band, is thickly wound, a fold of it thrown 
over the upper part, and the end falling down over the back 
bf the tieck,—the whole forming a sort of compromise lw* 
tween that most unmeaning and tasteless article of European 
costume, a bluet hat, and mi Oriental turlmrv. 

Whilst the Planter obtains protection from the dreaded sun in the 
manner here described, suited to hi* itinerant and active habits, the labour¬ 
ing peasant sects a like security,—if not under hi., polm-lcaf afcatta or 
umbrella,—beneath the wnplc folds of a cloth wrapped about the bead, 
surmounted, it may he, by u broad wicker-work Taka, mir l i y have 5 h fW o 
you on the head of the Ploughman; or more leisurely watches Ids cultivation 
from beneath the roof of his After a, or straw hovel, erected for that purpose 
ill thr midst of hi§ plantation. 



MiutAWT VJVW&& 
TPFMr 



| 4 IMI-AVAII Tinfit. 























LETTER VIL 


Vuin.iM j*// n«. 

MorXTKn on (lap sleek of that modern Pegaimti—-a steamer—a pleawmt 
trip on board the " iliraapore/' the largest of our Indian river hoat^ brought 
mo upon my present virit into the Mofu^ul hi sis bourn to ^ookaflgur* 
instead of linking if prolonged to n couple of days* tedious journey ifi the 
turdy budgerow. The superior deviation of a stetum'r, also, towering over 
all the native croft, —through fleets of which, unwieldy, and iLiiiimiiagedde 
as they are, spread over the whole breadth of the river, nothing hot much 
*kifl r ern^ and patience, on the pai rt of the cniiimtitidrT, could avoid running 
ei, dozen of them down—afforded a view of the bank* and emmtiy generally 
which I never hefoip enjoyed. 

On reaching thosfc parts of tho* conn try where cnltivirion woidd he seen, 
the effects of the late excessive rains were dietrcsainglv apparent* At a 
delta formed hy the junction of two branches of the river near Trebury, vr 
JMniberia, the locality of the AlassioE] School, established there aJi the tear 
1 B-l-J. ^ the land In every direction appeared immdated, and nothing hut a 

* This iLijBkl m citiibliiiiinl Hy tlis lk*c, Bf. Buff, and hv ■ hinnJcu rmoie of drranutr™. nq 
t\\r rrrr prrcttJV* hj 1L t mtiiEfcni ut tlu* HraiuJu Ftlttha* for ikt piiJmjSltWB nf % olunlillD P 

Tire jBfWLi uf ibv utriuLiliciQ fulling cf. nn appeal lo 1b* Ln-lbiuTiri; HLndn™ nu itrndk for nvp|Hvrt. la 
nJntli Ibc dinger t?f muFLJiMtrj *mm nrflthl n ftirag rfuiuul foi Uavtvtfitft* keJp. H* on. amun.ng 














mr HAi LB lr Jr; IN KEN3AX. 


im 


lew patches of green plant, rice .mil si. i-turd, here nml then', with :i few huta* 
near which the poor people, like Hike otl a floating log, were congregated in 
gtoupa ± served to mark any di-itruction between the two streams. The 
water almost everywhere was on n level wiili the bank, which in the dry 
season will He seen to oyer-top it by several feet— in Mine places m many m 
twelve. Tbtoj upon arriving at SoolcsAgur* the place, hut for the Louse, 
would have been indistinguishable, far the gMt or Inn ding , up which I have 
hitherto been accustomed to c! am her full seven and eight feet, wets now 
below the edge of the boat from which I stopped ashore,. You may hence 
gather tome idea of the rise of our Indian rivers. 

Arrived at the Loom* T learnt that riding was out of the question, and 
thill arraiigeiuents had been made for my travelling l>y palkce. The country 
was flooded hi Ml directions, and the destruction of Indigo plant thronglumt 
the whole ^ooksAgur plan tal i uii hail In .-oil ruinous. The land, ua 1 before 
stated, ii* ail low,—the plant, consequently, near the river, entirely submerged, 
and that which, being more inland, has escaped total destruction will be 
ho saturated, stunted, and washed, pa to yield the very poorest union ut of 
colouring inn tier. The dejected Gaunt* taV account of the dixuters of the 
season, were only equalled in dolorous tone by that of the Khidmutgar when 
detuling tlie pains lie had so fruitlessly been at in daily preparation, three 
times repeated, of that hospitality of which I had been prevented the earlier 
enjoyment. 

As you are already familiar with our Indian conveyance, the pnttrv, or 
Palankeen, I need say nothing more of the otic in which I wan now to 
complete my journey, than that it was private —which all palkees in the 
Moftiasul, where there is no constant demand for its t&e, generally speaking, 
must be. The bearers, therefore, (who are a caste uf Hindoos termed 
Docile), hLiving nothing of that uniformity either in practice or association 
which clicmietc rises tlie City “regulars/* exhibit, of course, all tlsnt motley 
appearance which rustic ** irrcgulnTH,^ — though bearers by caste, yet 
spending far more of their time in tilling the ground them carrying palkcrat 
—mtiy In- {'vjicrEcil u> pr-M-uh Yuniur and ■ Id, however, fnt :!nd [can, titJ] 
and short, or in whatsoever way diversified „ there is one uniform chorae- 
teriaiie umot3g*t thm poor people, which the depressing influences of city 
life (despite its- greater emoluments), and its convent km rd stiffness seem, 
somehow, to destroy,—tliat buoyancy of spirit which appears 
to make the burthen light, and to sweeten the cup of toil. 

Of this imrestruimng simplicity 1 do not forget an amusing example. 

Riding out early one morning with. Mr. F- on the Rongnn" Road* 

we met a dhk palkee. The morning had scarcely broke, and the patkee 

pin r nT hii:ij li sir ihiC drift uf <hk npfH'hl wns trtlWiLk SiAQrScd tu Dr £ I |JF, (jj dtlr 41 r ihfiar w hi I hiv.t 
|iffpi«il il H Oar ik iVvciiiT of «Trtrl!0iLr—CEiknJrr ilN-Jf vnuld ml rJrniMinit iurb "jpqnrfjLBSE «f a \mbce" 
to m fntttiT 01 tJlii; I5Hd ihlf I llfii-rtnfcfcjnrii IfaUi Eiblvqbteqimitj JfJ fcn Ulf fmrciiJjAi Of ?Lh jir-'imwi 
for that niJjiSriia i.zn.i:!it wbiftli lhrV bail It* Hi Lmiiiii il Em n ItmftfbriUl Jind taitcET, 

















P.ILKKJC TRAVELLING. 


10B 


door§ were dosed, With natural curiosity to know who might be the 
traveller so near to Mulnathj we inquired in Mi under tone, fmm one of 
the after runners, who it wsi*.—“ It F & a Mem, sir—(loudly bellowed the 
rustic*—innocently making nn light of the lady's fed big* ns of Ids own 
sorrows m& burthen, which, nGvertbel™, he intended to indicate)—a very 
fat Mem!"—We were not mrvy to let our horses put us quickly out 
of sight cmd honing of the cavalcade. 

Of *tjch m these, then, a motley group of nineteen were gathered 
together at nereis the nest morning—sixteen of whom, or four set*, wen* to 
carry thepalkcc, and the remaining three, a* 11 ban "by bearer*," my 1 raja*, 
one of the three being for relief* The term ia bmighy^ refers to the mode in 
which the burthen is earned f which is by its division into two parts—alung at 
the two ends of a half or split bamboo, carried across the shoulder* From 
the severe pressure of this bamboo* or perhaps more extensively from the 
pedes of the palkee, you will see many of these poor fellows with lump* of 
hard or muscular flesh formed upon the shoulders full two inches in height S 
From better, or more gradual tmining* as 1 take it, greater regularity in 
practice* ami infinitely mote modern to exertion at one time, tin.-* is very 
seldom seen amongst the bearers of Calcutta. 

Non the di(Tenwiee between the privutL ilnk r and tin public or Govern¬ 
ment; dfik is, that the latter is managed by relay* of tight frt^U ljearvn* 
at every eighth mile on the ride* whereas with the former, which an? 
of cmirsc confined to some-—1 will not say niCtfkfrite* hut pomi&k distance— 
not absolutely demanding ft camd—ft certain number of mru perform 
the whole journey—which, in the present instance, as L have ftlmuly lirnl 
oceosbm to mention H was precisely twenty-two miles. Thi« will strike you 
with wonder, no doubt*—for whether we regard their apjttuinmct*—their 
food and habits, or their climate* it ia not only marvellous but inruns p re¬ 
lic Bisibli^ how a *et of men, so strum t and poor in form—ns many of them 
an?,—so apparently ill adapted for great exertion, should be capable of such 
laborious endurance. This capability* however* despite its being based, 
a* no doubt it is, on that enduring spring t( Temperance"—docs not, 1 fenr, 
include impunity to frame and const it uti run The blessings of railways 
°t1nxtn» to he,** therefore, will not extend to commerce and omratiencc 
only, blit to humanity 

Hastily passing round the Kulyftn* or Iinokah, ^ fow puffs ifcpon which 
termed els eagerly sought and valued tw a " glass of grog of a pint of 
porter to jo! English labourer ere entering cut his tusk,, the bearer* now 
shouldered the but in a citirim newly escaped from bricks and 

mortar, and noisy sounds, into the pure and client air and green fields of the 
tiotmiry, how wn* it possible to Ci hold the shade V* I Imd not walked above 
a mile, however, ore a broad pond of water, knee deep, drove me to the 
judkee, nor wns I again, until within a few miles of Mnlnaih, able to quit #t. 
Every five hundred yards of the road was interrupted hr deep pool* and 




















lib 


nirn.iL Lift dbkoal. 


running stream^ Tn the more open parts, "flooded immense/* the country 
presented nothing but u succe^son of hrentl sheets of deep water* minty so 
broad imd long as to he i-r udR - mi linkable for rivers, from whidi, indeed, 
nothing but uersudonad i-dei^—patches of the tall licm[ , nr more beautiful 
green of the water rice pinnt, (Hioping above the flood, could well distill gnash 
them. Had the palkcr been n small flat-bottomed bout, with a pule at either 
end, the labour of the wen enuld frequently have been eeonomLiWid. In 
many direct!*™ there appeared more wider than land, 

Lii the villages, however, and wherever elm.* a little tnore than ordinary 
elevation of ground had preserved ita fcatLLre* qIigvc water, the snnml charac¬ 
teristic* of Indian country life once more mot the eyc + —The mud hut, 
always loo king ns though planted with nice eye mill judgment by some 
master artist, amidst the moat kenmiug foliage in that jtrecitu? position and 
direction most conducive to the picturenque! The tethered ruf timid cows at 
the gate or rustic Gut-huu *e, with their astonished calves, looking for the first 
time in their liven, possibly, upon u white biped \ and the black gout that 
caret not for the colour of anybody or anything, s:ne the green grass 
he sia industriously crop*. The men stdim*— the women, standing still, 
modtwtly turn their backs, or sidelong, with half covered, half averted 
face, gland! at the poking 'Sahib;' the little children run out, or stand 
mid stare, or scamper back into their huts to view nt a safer distance and 
draw attention to the eidvp! night. At every turn, wherever a stream 
of water could be inttTLiqited, nr its 
course, by dam ming tip* be directed 
through a narrow channel, men and 
boys having planted at the entrances 
their GTujiietfa, or basket - ware imps, 
i*omu of them Slicing various in shape) 

[(Hiking far more like neatly constructed 
Viird * cages than lidiing-net*—were pa¬ 
tiently watching for their tiny jury—the diminutive prawn* nod various 
description* of minute tin la common to the rivers which, overflowing their 
banks, have spread their unresisting little inhabitants in vast numbers 
and n thousand stream*, over the face of the country. * On the opposite 
margins the graceful paddy bird, disturbed from a similar occupation, erects 
its long white neck,—then stooping, springs aloft, or over the sterfnee 

of the water to suinr more secure npnt; whilst the diurp whistle of a 
thousand swallows suddenly darting from the ground—the loir squeal of 
the paddy birch ins he rtkim? over the lake, and the coo of the wild dove 
are the only sounds that break upon the still n<^5 of the air. 

■ Ulnars the He it, linn Eidpt iEi ** tn.'iJ " dr cmlnsikajeiit, Lo fmlsrTp bniisa in, t bir wn mm. 
witlmnt Elic d.iI of mmj mhw tmp Ita llfcf* pJ|m oJ ilrniv rlnib, *fn Uoittmkkr, hprend fcf.Ftm iuHl k 
m Spri tbflii thirty wvmuU ei|i(iir*! ni mwj imnjfc Dili a wnuLI fill ■ Jimtf.jHLi twr.uvrr, tie 
lit ihra- full Eiim J frutJi 1 liJCi-ij 1 ..jL i rs uf m kth U» jb^uL tv>i» scclii ■ la Sm^tb. 



x i;min]i r m nurr TV if. 

















TTIE corxxnt DTftlMJ THE 1 3TDATlOXa. 


in 


For full ton miles of the journey thtire wa* mi abatement of water, 
whifb in some pbcea hud so obliterated all tfaci^ of the usual runib that 
the benri-n* were, now and Berlin, obliged to £tup :( whilst one or two with 
their long sticky .searchfd a-head for the patli s and Bounded the depth of 
water,, frequently knee-deep, ere venturing to ernre. 

On approaching Mulnath, which we did by two o'clock in the afternoon 
(no bad travelling toil will acknowledge^ rn [j-Hdering all tilings), sad 
evidence everywhere presented itself, even yet, of the mischief done by 
the late hurricane. Tree* blown down, or mutilated — shorn of their 
luxuriant propdertioi^, and hit* destroy ed or unroofed in nil direct inns. 
Would that the mischief of the gale had ended there ;—but, ak^ S sixty 
poor people, principally old men and women, Kyuts and villiigera living 
on jiiLsl attached to the concern,—-ton infirm to be abroad or actitc in 
the " pitiless storm,'* and too weak to resist or tu bear violence, perished 
under the falling huts and mud walk that were levelled by its fury I 

Two mouthv have now elapsed since thk sad catastrophe, and the 
country bus in some degree rt covered it* appear am jo, and the poor people 
their cheerfulness. There b a thinning of foliage, certainly—an irrecover¬ 
able injury to many of the finest trees, and there m an opening out of 
the view in direction* never before seen, which, if lime do not soon mend, 
the eye will quickly become accustomed lu. Beyond this, ^lulnath La* 
Buffered little real injury to it* cbaniiH, There b enough of trotxl to *lu.-lter 
the cattle and the 1 h autifed deer that brou>i in the park,—enough of foliage 
to house the blithe birds that are singing and chirruping from ■ miming till 
evening.,— enough of green herbage to relieve the murkiest sky,- no more of 
water than contributes to the landscape beauty, at least, and there is that 
wholesome serenity of air that like ** the silence of a Sabbath day—" 

*■ Sk tkep flJiJ pan, pvftwd ^ e&lin. 

Ski rrd-jknl of UraTTraij Sul ra, 

B<j lulling m t liu wttrj hri'Pit, 

Su liin a thing nf prrf+tt Mif, 

\f jiiiuDdJ til* Urn* i:f cum tu imrarilii*, 

Mbiktifil tin psnF of griat te teirtk**—* * 

does indeed minister in no small degree to the relict P disburdening, anil 
eajoviDcnt of the mind- 

1 would Hint this sdHah view of the mutter, however, were the only 
our Hint could l>e taken; but, unhappily, there is one feature in the 
landscape, tu* vou will nlready Luvc pathtred, which,htwsTET pretty it nwj 
lofik iu pictures,—this world of water—is to the planter and my host. a 
world of woe! Arooutl the immediate neighbourhood of Muiimtli, where 
the land is high, injury to the Indigo plant ha* hero comparatively trifling, 
but In the out factories, wherever the land is low, a* at SooktAgur, ami the 
iuuudalHiiiK heavy, the mischief baa been extreme. Fortunate!y for the 
* Fu r, mmJ utter J** Grrfvr Gmt. 

























112 


btiul ThJITv ts, hen&aLh 


poor in this ncightaiitrhoodj i-lu-ir rice i.tSie Gu&-Dhnu)t which bus hqw 
attained nearly it* full growth and strength, promises to spare them smy 
im mediate purlJcipatioti in Lite Barrows of the season—far, although, imlike 
the AmuiinLlhnii, it will not bem standing in water, it will yet, sinless the 
ear butj ripc t put up with n pretty goijd soaking from rain without injury. 

~UV have now arrived at tin* inanufaeturing season, mh that 1 find all 
activity at the Factory; and ns tlih fa an important and interesting humicas, 
I shall let it Form the *ubject of n dbtinet Letter. But brat, a few word* a* 
to what has taken place since my last via it here. Haring the month of June 
there is generally little to mark in the affairs of the Planter. The rains, 
however, usually set in, which, of course,, produce ninny chan gen in the 
features of the country, and cause a rapid development of the plant, but 

tmleas the rain 1ms fallen in any extreme degree, 
nr the inundation* Lave commenced, the time fa 
usually nothing more than one of progreSakm of 
the crop*, both Indigo and Rice. But there is 
another crop, belonging to the Eyuta* w hich has 
now arrived at maiiirity, and fa itt course of omnii- 
factum. Thife fa Htmp, the appearance of which 
mills a lovely feature to the landscape* 

There are three descriptions of this plant. 
The first uud beat, which is called Sun, or S&m t 
fa sown in June,—arrive* at maturity in nljout 
forty-five days, and 
during that time, so 
rapid fa its growth, 
attains the height 

W in n±mr. of Clght Olid SOmC- 

times nine feet, when it* brill unit yellow 
flowers, which grow in spires upon every 
stem, enrich the landsoape with the appearance 
of a field of waving gold. 

Id order to obtain the fibre, or hemp, which 
lies in the outer covering of the stem* the plant 
ia steeped in the river fur two day* and n hnlf 
and beaten* The second description of hemp 
is called Koala ,—bears the same kind of 
flower, and requires five or days steeping 
ere it can be manufactured. The third kind, 
or MeWdj fa distinguished by a very pretty 
star-shaped leaf. Like the Kt/otia f it fa an 
inferior kind of hemp, and also requires five 
or dix days steeping, ere preparation* The 
better description ol hemp, ur jSaw, ii said to 







lux dull. El Mr. 


















THE iSTHUDmi tLMDATMJl- 


113 


yield the cultivator about five ronppcs the Iriggah—or *ey thirty shilling* per 
; (;rc . Gf nerallv tweaking, however, the people shout here cultivate no more 
cftlii* plant than they require for their own purj.orL"*, and tlienuelvc* wigbly 
manufacture their line and rope by hand, 

Before closing, T must tell you that tie sanctity and repose of the 
hettutifid lake, skirting the house, ha* been invaded ! Swollen to mi un¬ 
precedented degree hy the late rain* and iuniidnthms, its water* have united 
the in selves with the river by a week sufficiently broad t o admit a bout, and 
a brute of on Alligator, availing himself of the opportunity, ha* walked in- 
taken possession—and now rooms the lake from end in end, levying hlnr.k 
mail on fish, fowl, or whatever else edible may come within his reach ! The 
geese, belonging to the house, that were want to enjoy Its waters in peace, 
have consequently been deereasing, and the servants no longer daring to 
cuter the l:Lkc are compelled to fetch water from its margin ami to bathe 
mwm land. Receiving sudden intelligence yesterday of tin animal having 
come up upon the verv bank of the garden, l hastened to tlw spot, but 
ere I could get rifle, to shoulder, he bad taken to the water, and was 
swimming, with ntee only above tlic surface, in that direction in which it 
was easy to wound, hut impossible to kill. 







a if ul ■HLP*'™ nfc*.'DWPi 





t| 






































Till IH III .1 ■ JH ■, AI 1 r i r r I ! 4 III S' , 'J| 


LETTER VIIL 

JfrJWM, 2m. 

Wises the Beeson has strived for inuiufacturiug, all becomes life iwd 
nniTu rtlen> ahgivt a Factory, 1/ it be ft small one, limited in its operations— 
say producing about 230 mum, nr IF cwt. of Indigo hi it* season, it is 
probable that the Immediate un^hherarhoad of the works fumnhua all the 
necessary luhuurvrti— peasants hired expressly for the mimufnctniing period; 
but if the factory lie a large one, like this «rf Mulnnth, probably upwards of 
one hundred men have to lie summoned from some iiordering district* Many 
come from Midnapore, hut the greater number lie long to some of the jungle 
tribes of Maimbhoonij or fiimbhoom—sometimes termed Jungti Mekm $ in 
the nnigliliotirhixKl of Bonkra, but commonly called ISIioueju, or Rlioomva 
Coolie*. 

Tbr*e pi Kir people, who art tbu# willing to come a journey of probably 
one hundred mid twenty miles, in order tu obtain the advantage of employ - 
meat upon a small -alary For u brief period., receive, it may be, three Jlortpees 
in advance, ere quitting their home*, tu provide for the support of their 
families during their absence; ami such t* their frugality until returning 
that ther generally take hack with them about nine-tenths of their cum in mo 



















BHOONA tftOLIB#—TIIE1R Wflljl IW UY1XG, 3 15 


They p wlrai Pj proltthl v, ti n3apci! + H 1.1 rill of rice— enough tu setfo 
during i heir whole stay p and the moment iheir morning: * work hua }h.’OU 
completed, they resort to the nemwt stream nr lute to obtain, wilier lay a 
small fishing net, nr the simple contrivance l have nJ ready described to you. 
a few ritoall Gab. to eotVk with It,—anil thus their ample meals are supplied 
at a cost of little more than the plain rice. In thb they have been peimlinrly 
favoured by the late i nnnidations, which have brought nunmronh little stream* 
from the river aero** the low laud, wherein number* may be set'll hshiTig, 
bathing, or watering their rat tin, free from the fear of :dl [gator* 1 jnm. 



MJTIK TWTfl TBP LJIL |-i?rfiLl raiim^ iTP. 


Amongst the Bhooim CooHca, however, great number* not only bring their 
wiiEH and *-hiLitren with thorn, but acttlc, and form villages exclusively of 
theiT own tribe,-*—ns they have done ai Mubiuth, in the immediate neigh¬ 
bourhood of the Factory, where, at the present time, dm women are m 
busily engaged as the men, In this owe their children may lie seen 
patiently am! gravely sitting at the water s edge, with a hit of line, to which 
a thorn of the babool tree sen es for a hook, and * small tw ig of wood for a 
rod, when in I™ than an hour they have probably caught as many fish, 
(abounding at the present time), as serve al least for a seasoning to the frugal 
mud of rice which is prepared for the whole family. The salaries of these 
Labourers differ. The Mi dun pore men receive four Hoopoe* per month 
{about Nrf.;, the Bhoann only three, and the women :md boys two I !-n>j ic* -= 
|jt r r month. Advantages, however, in other ways, are offered tht?m to 
encourage their settling upon the spot. Tiny m* allowed to rent land for 























11G 


armiH life, in hcngjIX, 


C'uttljiij TPf rt+TT. 


tlfcoir own cultivation at half neriek, or rent,—an advantage of which they 
appear glad Xu avail tliemidTe^ 


TWP i-irTrrhi-liH^fc, VT*> 


Anri now the Factory in cleared mil, and the repaira of the various 
working parte, that have been lying 1 idle fur nine month?. duly ween to. 


Men professing the various crafts of Bricklayer, troniumth, and Carpenter, 
are ready at hand in the village* The pump* are put in order ; the godown, 






























COWVEVAKCI OF THE IS'D^OQ FLASTh l IT 


or warehouse, arranged for reception of the Indigo ; boat*, carts, eliicI people 
arc got ready to bring In the produce; mid the cutting of the phmt 3 which 
has. now attained its full growth of about five feet, tyunneiicts^ 

Having alreculv explained to you tliu differaitt )>c tween flyutee and 
Nrezabad, or private cultivation,* l need here indy mention that in the 
former system, the I£vot ell tit and packs flu; plant at his own co*L an.d labour, 
hut the Factory pays the espensc of the conveyance to the rats. Now T 
us the cultivation pertaining to onf factory alone csiends over a ipoce of 
prdmbJv fortv square miles—1 do not mean ymintemipledly^ hut iltcmfitdj , 
il may lie, with rLc-i- ami other prnduce—numerous (‘ouveyjLtKX^ are* of 
rt>uTBCj requisite to hring the plant to the works; and as the rivers* creeks,. 



fll i'U^lN ¥¥■ FPDHM br WlATP' 


and lakes of thi^ part of Bengal, from their singular and mimereus sinuosi¬ 
ties, intersect the country in all directions, nnd at the present h^qu arc 
swollen to :in extraordinary degree, uniting tbnmwlv^ to em h other, and 
thug creating fresh and innumerable clmmftl jj much the greater qnantiitj 
of plant is brought by boat, whilst the remainder—the produce of fields 
contiguous to the Factory, nr otherwise maw otmremcntly brought by Innd— 
is conveyed on the common llnckrec, or Bullock-carh 

On arriving at the Factory ground, or Ntd Kola, as it is termed—which 
here iJi a gentle slope, ext ending from the vats down to the lake, mid shaded 
by 11 picturesque cluster or grove of liLVimnnt. Touti trees, the plant, if 
belonging to the Factory, is at once curried up and piled, or thrown lowly 
into the vat, ready for use ; but if belonging to the Ityuts, tin account 
to bfi kept of the quantity brought, and this Is done by the Qozundttr, or 

* rv=9fl. 



















m 


hUfLU, LITE IV UtNn.lL. 


Measu TfUo # with an mm chain of precisely six feet in length, measure* 
round the girth of ike plnur, am! m much aa this enihraea hi termed 
a Btmdfc* If i* probably not easy to wigge^t el better metliod— aitk^.* an 
iMgesiEoiislji r;■ 11 rriv l- ti i uplc 1 1 i nt, cn 11uMe c A' n■ ir ulut.i is£ |,]- L ure- -but tb modi 
I have jiist described certainly HTtus open to almsc and objection* A 



' Air CiI Unman. 


powerful arm will compress for more plant than a weak one. But there 
ran he little doubt how the energies of both mar lie tdlutilntid, or iiiwlrmtcd, 
hy i«pito or a bribe; and the Gottmdnr dors not "move in n pireie of 
society” which would render him above tie temptation. In this wav cither 
the It vitt or the Factory may lie wronged. If the plant were always of 
itn full growth of about five foot, the danger to the Rvnt would be* has* 
because hard stalks are not readily compressed; but the manner of measur¬ 
es renders it necessary that not only should there be sis feet iu ffirtk, 
Intt also in hniitth, and to a dirt this the plant is placed oti the ground, end 
to end, the stalks outward, so that at a had season, wlu-n the plant is stunted, 
thin, nml "hurl, the eninprcssinn or the elm in iu the centre take* place, not 
on ii fair proportion of *talk and leaf together, hut, it may he, almost ctcJu- 
sively on soft leaves, Tt is to avoid thin incqnnlity and risk that f under- 
siaml some cultivator*, whose produce is sufficient (but these I heJiwe are 
tewi, prefer the wholesale measurement % the rat, the contents of which, 
when tilled, being well known, offers, it is thought, a more equitable mode 
uf measnrenieiit, lit this plan of course nonhjeftian is made. But in the 
numerous cases where llynts cultivate only a *m*D portion of land, insuf¬ 
ficient to fill a vat with plant, reeonrao must be had to the chain,—for any 
attempt on their part to unite their produce in order to fill a vat would only 

























TTIB INDIGO VAT. HO 


lead to koto'- ending quarrels between them, Tn the Tiriioai district, where 
Indi go in very extensive]', ctdti voted, another system altogether is adopted, 
aliidi is pro batty much Ihlrer, The ground is measured, anti the plant« 
before being reaped, h ruined according to its quality, and paid for as 
it stand*» 

"V\ Iiilst the measuring is going on* ami it isislv lie a squabble or two, 
vrhich cither ifmt operas loil, or the confusion of carts, \> nut unlikely at 
timers id occasion; are being adjusted; 1 nuiat familinmfl yon wish the 
construction of the vats, in which the proceas of lepafatiii^ the colouring 
matter from (he plant If. performed* Here the pencil most agaist ns. Vats 
are in pains, the upper ami the fount 1 /-, iirnl form a long range of low, well 
built, cLiul fiiji>hed brick anti plaster buildings,, closely tiled on the dour, but 
open to the sky above. This is essential. They are about twculy-anr feet 
sipiare, by three and a half feet in depth. In a small Factory there are 
probably nut more than sis pairs of these vat*, hut in the more eitensive 
kind seldom Less than twelve* At Mnlnatb I find out only these twelve, but 



TM liTP, 


three extra detached pairs, to meet the possible happy fortune of a more than 
ordinarily goad season requiring their aid ; tor where there is an abundance 
of plant no delay j* admitsihle in cutting, Independently of overgrowth 
being prejudicial, a sudden ri-m in the river might destroy several hundred 
acres of plant upon its margin in Elie course of a single night ; and when cat 
it cannot he stacked like corn, because it would rot* It tmi't Ijc manufac¬ 
tured at ouce. Occasionally, however, plant arriving very late in the 






















120 n rit.ii- i,i if- ix oexcal. 


evening h kept until mGnriog by spreading it out upon the ground to 
pment fermentation, which, if the plant be wet, would occur if left in 
closely-packed bundles or aheitTCS, 

During ordinary or indifferent period^ probably not more titan six or 
eight pairs of vats *ro brought into nee, but at more prosperous reasons the 
whole fifteen Imve been kept in constant employ- A season so prosperous Ik 
of course pronoun™! 11 a bumper/ 1 —and the heart of the Planter is made 
11 fat wiib joy.”—It lud —-for there i* "ji time to weep ami u time to 

laugh ; M —the last three seasons have probably been dlstistroiia,—or it may 
be that the i£ throe cur-, blighted and withe rod/' are at hand. Our intelli¬ 
gent friend, the native doctor, here informs mo that it is generally thought 
amount the natives that prosperity and adversity are oftentimes alternately 
shared by the Planter* run! the riee cultivators ;—that for three year* 
moderation in min, and in neb flint, winch is injurious to rice, favours the 
Indigo, and that the succeeding three years of inundation and much min, 
that are destructive to Indigo, h beneficial to rice. Tile present season, 
from the r>rfwts of inundation, has not ouly proved disastrous to indigo 
prospects, but in some parts of the country where the land b very lnw f and 
the inundations proved heavy, the Ous rice crops have been entirely sub¬ 
merged—and lost!—Need T picture to you the distress which at such time 
must follow? 



TTII RBI ICO.* Cmn nsu nmnn IT tbT tit.i. 


It is now time to return to the sloping ground, or Neel Kola, where I 
left them measuring, squabbling, bundling out the plant from boat and cart, 
and halloaing to, or abiding the por cows which, the moment they are 

























u AM i'.tei nu: op 1 su 100—Titr vats, 


1*1 



Vidini M,i>t t - tmM Tit?. 


released from Ehc yoke, quietly turn about, anti very widely browse upon 
the green plant they have been at the labour of bringing so far. 

Anti now the work of packing tQmmmtm* Men and woman as e busily 
Engaged in earning the plant up 
to the Yata—generally oil the 
head, hui wmetimeg by hlcd> 
more expeditionsdvj on a couple 
of bamboos, curried between two 
of them, like a s^etlan chair, on 
which the Indigo is heaped across. 

The tipper vatu having been oleiBed 
out and plugged op, the plant is 
closely packed at nil astgb L of 70', 
or nearly upright, with the leaf 
of the lower tier upward*, ami 
of the higher downwards, ft few 
buiidles having previous]j been 
tltrown in h orizon tally to fall up 
the coni ora or angles of that cud 
nt which the packing commences. Any hollows observable at the top are 
then filled up by a few bundles opened mu ami thrown into them., wherever 
it may be accessary* Probably one hundred official bundles ore 
required to fill a vat, Tbiw done, about twenty bamlwjos are laid 
at in ten ids of a foot apart upon the top of tile 
platiL luhI mrom the vat. Three massive beams 
of wood, nine or ten indie* aqomre, lucked at 
one end under a strong iron pin passing t hrough **+x™***rr 
two uprights of wood at the upper end of the ' ‘ 
vatj are then laid over the bamboos, and several mini 
standing on the other end uf each, weigh it down until 
fluSoic-ntly cumpraacd to admit of m iron pin bong passed over it through 
the upper hole of a corri*iKinding pair of uprights on the opp^tlc side of the 
vftt. A block of wood about hi\ Luchin sqliarr, and a couple of ftret in 
length, ib thru laid m i-M— 11«- beam, v]n-v to the upright, to Hirve w- n 
fulomtu on wbirh the final power of a long lever 
is applied to effect the nectary compression of 
the plant. This lever is ft beam of wood, about 
fifteen feet in length, with a pair of powerful iron hook* at one end. This 
is hooked under a second and upper pin, when mx or eight men, some stand¬ 
ing on* and others hanging by the end, weigh it down till the entire surface 
uf the plant is pressed to its proper level, which is to within sis or eight 
inches of the top of the vnt* The beam being then made fast by shifting 
the first pin lower down in the uprights, and the same operation gone 
through with each of the beams, the contents of the vat are ready for steeping. 




feJH or .nmuuu uuju 


i,riiaL 






















122 


fttnKAL uu. in nnxuAL. 




i fiiJjj.' ura pftidT m 


but complete, and at thu Factory end, where before earts pn-Lind beneath it 
im dry ground, now only four or five inrhra ibwe the surface of the water. 

* fiapn ^4, 


rHKikn HI rMKT. 


Leaving it so for a short time, I have now to direct your attention 
to the long' liner of aqueduct lending from the river side to she Factory^— 
no ionge^ as in the dry season, imperfttctj and many feet above the watery 






























NANFFACfti&V «l' IN MOO— TliP EJlIXEMlfl PHUT, 


133 


This show* the lake to have risen about fifteen feet in height during the 
present Reason ! 

At either end of this aqueduct La a Chinese pump*—Bui here JCfU will, 
no doubt, ash why, with io fine a shot* of water close to the very vats of 
the Factory, there should he any uracuity for an expensive line of aqueduct, 
dnt four"hundred fast id length, *nrt two pm^ '«**■* ufonc. 1 jhonid, 
therefore, rs plain tlmt pure river water is essential to the *u«** of the 
rteeping, in consequence of it* being softer, anil po*w«mg some other 
quality which it is found km urn n better development of the colouring 

matter. a * 

The Chinese pomps being identical in their construction, l need only 

mention that the further, or outer one, raises the water from the river into 
the aqueduct, from which it flew* into a small nwrvrir on this side the 
like,— thermo, by a second Chinese pump, it is toted n stqi Higher, and 



ri ,iru frbitf, TUP *UV- 

herc we may stop for a moment to examine a portion of the l on m nation of 
these very ingenious pumps, which are worked, yon will observe, upon the 
principle' of the tread-mill. A nuHflaum ot 
tinked together like a chain, at intemds of about night 
inches from each other f anil fitting r not tightly, but 
freely, in a wooden trough, drag, or scrape the water up 
its channel into a second and shorter aqueduct* 

To meet the event of a more extensive or rapid 
supply of water being needed* and also the possibility 
of the one getting out of repair, provision# you will 
observe, L* made in the masonry for a second pump, 
which linlies itself with that of the hr*t. 



tlie channel fretn 












































kl Sal life isr kksui.l. 


124 


Mulm&th ground being very high, Dae elevation which tins water linn 
attained by niTiUiri of Ehs- pump r* insufficient, mid therefore a ttifrrf pomp 
ifl requisite, about thirty yard* inland, in order to raise the water into the 
great rricrvoir. 



<;bilkfcnl hir nunt 


Ymi now have a more complete view of the operation, and may observe 
that the continuous chain of scrapers pacaea over a wheel at both end* of 
its journey * that os the upper, or visible half is travelling downwards, the 
lower carrying flic water along with it, is of course miming upwards; and 
that as the upper wheel, forming the centre of the axle which the men are 
turning; gives motion to the whole, tlic lower wheel is a mere revolver, 
turned by the action of the scrapers passing round it. I f we -Step a little 
nearer, and upon the other side, all this will be more evident. 

The construction of the whole machinery will now be intelligible. The 
box r or trap, is supported at its upper part against the edge of the great 
reservoir—the middle part by a portion of the bank of the small or lower 
reservoir, and its foot, which dip into the water to the depth of one of the 
tempers, rest* upon a small step of masonry. The mode in which the teeth 
of the wheel or pinion on tin m-udle net upon the scraper. 1 * i* now more 
clearly a[iparent, find the manner in which they turn at the font and pa-t* 
up again at the bottom of the trough will nnl be Icas so. I should add that 
the upper line of scrapers is preserved from coming into contact with the 
lower by a thin plank interposed between them* 

Though the Chinese pump mety appear to be a very complicated piece of 
































- V 


it throws up within a [short space of time- When well worked by a full 
implement of six men, it is calculated to discharge 11.136 gallon* of water 
in an hour* 

71 . 1 ? reservoir being now supplied with the requisite water, we will return 
to the vat, w hich we left filled with plant ready for sterpiny : and this process 
ia Effected by opening a flluiee or door frum the main 
Aqueduct of the reservoir into the vat, and allowing t\m wutcr 
to Maw in until the plant ia covered.. It u generally about 
five or six o d eIock in the evening when this operation is 
completed* and as the time allowed for steeping variesi from 
ten or eleven hours during hoi nights, to twelve or twelve 
and a half during cooler, it is about daylight ot the (nilowing 
morning when the tune for the next operation has arrived* 
accordingly, nil arc again as*enihlcd, and whilst fresh loads of plant begin 
tn arrive in boat and curt, and the various operatives prepare their several 
departments for the day * proceedings the Superintendent, or ir may be the 
Planter Muisdf. exaimiies the condition of the vat, the water in which, it 
found, tram the swelling of the plant, has risen Ml inches. The 
saenta a strange mottled appearance in colour—principally of purple 
rppery hues, partially co v e r e d with a bluish foot 3*. This indicates a 


*gL!MB0PT iUrrCi- 


At that time, 


ibu n*m i it L iiJS ia* r\*t. 


MAM V WA CTU EI OF IN D III n— ATE B F t NO p 


machinery, os it is ul?m b terribly noisy one, it lias important advantage* ; — 
tFn 1 ease with which, when out of order, any part is repaired m the premises, 
by the trainman M in tree or native carpenter, and the great; body ot water 






















120 nrut urn in wekoal. 


sufficiency of steeping, which, if overdone, would be injurious. It hit* 
probably been tested also by dipping a thermometer into tin; liquid, the 
temperature nf which affords n farther guide as to tlie euflicieurv or other* ue 
■ of the steeping, 

Thu great plug leading from the bottom of the steeping rat into the 
lower, or lusting vat, is now drawn, ami the liquid, of a dull, or sometimes 
bright orange colour, but at first of horrid odour, is allowed to run out. As it 
spreads on the lloor the orange colour is exchanged for s ljHght raw green, 
covered with a beautiful lemon-coloured cream or froth. 



Cxi irae itiT tmm Mil run. 


The leaves and bamboos being removed from the upper v'at, the faded 
and dead plant, covered with bluish froth, is carried away by the some men 
and women who brought it, to an appointed place—a spare piece of ground at 

hand, and spread about to dry. In this condition it is called “cettee” _of 

no sweet-smell tug savour to the olfactory nerves of strangers, but of perfect 
indifference to those who have become accustomed to it. In the course of 
about three month* it become* thoroughly dry, and i* finally stacked, in 
order to furnish economical fuel for the boiler of the Factory at the next 
manufacturing season. Much of it idso i* used ns mnjmre for the Bail, cither 
in the garden or the immediate neighbourhood of the Factory ; and the poor 
belonging to the concern are allowed, I believe, to take away a small supplv 
for their fti?m domestic ncdeaiities. 

The whole of the liquid having been drawn off into the lower vat, it is 
then ready for the process of Beating. 





























MAXVTACTVVLt OF tNPtfiU— BL.KttSU 


127 


T rn men—the Beaters — now jump into the vat. up to their hips in 



tub win or dim, if«i phjll« i^muo iflla-Ti 

llir liquid, and ranging tJu-mselves, five at emli end, c vmmefu x tie work 



lunit m 


of (iraitmgj which is done by means of d Hmt piece of bamboo* five feet in 














JUTHjLL LITE I5f DCSOAL. 


length, cnt like an oar, brtxwl at one end, with which they beat, or violently 
iftir, splasb, or plough up the liquid, until the whole surface, at nil four sides 
and comers, wherein the nic-si arc not actually heating, is covered with heaps 
of bluish foam, resembling soap-suds, upwards of a foot in thickness, and 
the whole content* or the vat tire in violent commotion. Every conceivable 
variety of action is given by the men in order to make the heatin'; perfect. 
They range tlienucln» trii-a ris, and advance, beating until within four feet 
uf each other—then retreat to either end, generally beating in the opposite 
direction to their companions in front, lest, by dl treating in one direction, 
the Force of so many oars together should drive the liquid—too precious to 
be wasted—over the edge of the vat. They will face to the right—then 
to the left—changing hands as they do so—then range themselves in one 
line, and heat from end to end,—then divide again into two as at first—then 
form a circle, and beat towards each other—“retreating, chasing"—like the 
fignffcs in a quadrille, and then travel in circle, until the whole contents 
of the vat arc in a whirl. 

I poll'first miming off tliitliquid, is 1 have said, it is of a darkish orange 
colour—then of it light green. On settling in the iat it seems in be a dark 
green, but upon stirring the surface it appears of a greenish or bright olive; 
li ° I al11 I 11 tilled to tell you what precise colour it really has, for being, 
like the wii, exposed to the »ky, in like way its quantity and the state of the 

weather influence its appearance. When the beat¬ 
ing commences, however, it generally present* n 
delicate light green complexion. Tin*, through 
ft variety of beautiful changes, gradually darkens 
into a pmssian green, mid front that, as the beat¬ 
ing continues, and the colouring matter more jier- 
fci'tly develops itself (the froth having almost 
entirely subsided], into the intense deep blue of 
the ocean in stormy weather, 

Hy this time the men present the added; and 
wihltst appearance imaginable, from the crown 
of thdr heads ta the sale* of their feet they an? of 
course deep lived and dripping with the blue colour¬ 
ing matter. You think of “bine devil*"—but 
only to lough, a* at many other famhe in this life, 
when idealities and realities are brought together; 
for in truth these are ■* merry devils,*' who hv the 
comicality of their appearance, gestures, exclama¬ 
tions, mid mirth, nre more likely to dispel than 
encourage the dull spirit in the most misanthropic 
breast. 

flu* Operation of beating continues for about two Lours,—the men 
nm using themselves. and encouraging each other the while by sundry 



* HBnwIJti disptic, r^ tunp 
































\M 


THF- H l5flI' FACTO HLE Of LKIUUO 



veil cm cut cries and songs,—generally not particularly distinguished for 
elegance or purity. 

The iihjert of tire operation i have just described is to separate the 
grain or colouring mutter from the liquid. A late experiment mode here 

by Mr, F- would j^-mi to show that this in principally effected by 

er/jorare of the liquid tn fhs {Umotphffrir mr, and this of course is ueoom- 
plhdied by the boating," which by continued ploughing and splashing, 
expose* every particle of the Liquid to the air; but whether this exposure 
alone, without the beating or churning process., would produce altogether 
the piUJsic citcetj J am not udvised.— 1 The ( inrnt: l]i or Supcruitcudcukt, the 
11 Rung Mistree M of Colour man, or the Planter himself, now fare fully ex¬ 
amines the liquid* by this time of a thorough deep Hue, aud u tniail quantity 

is frequently token up on a whito plate, 
and submitted for hi* inspection* If on 
resting for a second nr two the grain, 
which is of course exceedingly Fine r ap¬ 
pears ready to separate and precipitate, 
and the water is free 
from bine discolour¬ 
ation, the operation 
is complete. The 
whole in then per¬ 
mitted to rest for 

rurii uu Him or MHrhi r«_ almilt tWO flOUrS. 

i.iTtiiy of r bleet iff mjrmx 

when the teenlu or 

grain T having sul«ided, the waste water, of a coffee colour, is gradually drawn 
of! from the surface by means of a Aeries of plugs (the upper atm at first being 
only partially opened) placed one above the other in front of the rat, under 
"hu b pi '_:?i tlifne is an aqueduct lor the purpose of receiving :md winying 
away the waste liquid into the river. 

Ihr waste water having been gradually drawn off leaves the sediment 
■dill mi.veil with tome portion, but not 
more than La requisite to keep it suf¬ 
ficiently soft to he drawn off. At 
one time this was effected by being 
lifted or haled out of the vat. and 
passed down the tunnel or pipe mttrkfd ** 

(4) id the marginal sketch, but this 
was found to occasion much waste in 
evrTy way, and it is now done by the 
removal of the la west plug (n) placed at 
the very hot tom of the vat, when the 
colouring matter, which h probably 

four fingers only in depth, L* discharged into a second or smaller! and nearer 

« 




utnii iiff, 























1&J flfiLIL Ltm iH SENDAI.. 


aqueduct, through which it k conveyed by tin- pht^-bolc (ci into a xnmtt 
reservoir, ainl from tlmnrc it is pumped up into the 1 Boiler, wInch k iiiMiit 1 - 
dlatidy bHimd it. 





The Furnace* arc found nt the end of the Fcctnry; the former attended 
by a couple of Stoker*, to id fid with the Cetee or dried plant,, its l hare 

already mentioned. The only view we 
can obtain of the Baden is front their 
upper Jmrtj where at the farther and 
outer end the pump is seen to qomimu- 
ideate with them. In some Factories 
the Indigo is kept Mured ill the 
lloilcr^ by means of a perpendicular 
rod in the centre„ fitted with enm 
pieces or spoken which are kept in 
motion by n man or boy engage,*] lu 
turn the apparatus. 

The RoUhig! which is com tinned 
fur about two hours., being eomolete. 
the next process k that of S\ 

To effect Uik the lower pm 

boiler eomjnunk-atce, by menu of plugs, with the straining table, which . 
shkliaw fat, probably a foot uuil B half m depth, the lower part of which is 


TUI a iniJ.an- 
























TIIE UARtTfACWUH Of IVLIGCL 


131 


covered with a grating of split bamboos, raised abtnii three inches from 
the bottom by resting upon solid bamboos. 

Above the grating the table is divided* by _ f*= 

uieaoH of bamboo poles plactMl across it tit 

^ r r M-ii nr V^lkRr 

certain distances „ into several eouqurtiDeDl.?, 

so els to suit the quantity of Indigo manufactured. Over the whole oft hi* is 
noiv spread tot immense cloth of American sheeting, whirl* is confined in itw, 
place* a* van will observe, by pvif* re *cra tiling English cl-iklie^-pcgs, fitting 
itmi jumtiling the cloth unio the bamboos lieucatL 



EfUSSLK! TSl 3 EJIJ 4 R, 


An the liquid when poured from the Boiler is apt la contain much foreign 
matter and dirt, n Icing piece of souse coarse kind of cloth 1* tied to the 
mouth nf the large plug, supposing one only to Ik: used, and held at the 
other end Tsy an asaiatintj who keeps it in countu&t agitation os the liquid 
runs through onto the Straining Table* 

AJ1 this being ready, the plug of the Boiler, seen at the further end nf 
the vat nr table, is opened, and the Indigo, now a hot and smoking gluten, 
lb run on to the sheet. At brut, whikt the cloth is fresh* the water, draining 
fjam the mi^* carries with it Indigo anti all. To prevent the Ins* this would 
occasion, the ping* tit the lowest part of the Straining \ at are opened, aliens 
the liquid running out k caught and retained in a small circular nc*en,‘mr 
(part i if the aqueduct], from whence, by aid of a hfoul-shovel or scoop, it in 
taken up by aa attendant, who re-strrdns it through a snuill strain er fc observable 
rcFiing on the edge* of one nf the compartiniL'ntji?, This is repeated until the 
cloth, having swollen* retain* a sufheieut quantity of sediment in it* texture 





























132 HI'HAL. LIFE IS PETfQAL 


to prevent may more escaping, and the wa»te water is no longer blue, lint of 
the same pole coffee colon? ox that mu off from the Uniting Ynt&* 

In the event uf si li bumper" season having produced n larger amount of 
Jpcmk than Him straining table ia capable of 
receiving:, there in an additional table in a cor- 
responding division of the buildings onto which 
a branch plug from the Boiler* conveys the 
feculfu 

Tbc Indigo having been run unto the table 
about seven in the morning, remain* *.1 raining 
until the afternoon, by which time the feciik 
ha& been reduced in volume to niiout two inched. 
The men then, seizing hold of the lower end of 
the flbcetj haul about two-thirdi of the contents 
onto the remainder, thud increasing the thick- 
iicfin to sdjout six or eight inches but reducing 
the ourfnee to olio-third. The aheet is now both 
ahovo and below the Indigo, when the spare 
bamboo grating is taken up and placed on the top, and heavy blocks of 
wood, lids of prtpabg boxes, or other mdi weighty mate rial, arc placed 
above the whole. The object of thin m to assist in pretuiitg out whatever 
water may yet remain in the mass preparatory to its final pressing. In this 
state it is left to drain all night. 

At mi early hour on the following morning the work of Presmng cma- 
mmee*; and here it is necemry I should ile- 
Mate the machinery used in the operation. The 
Pressing Coses, which are about tln-ec feet long, 
hy two broad, arc formed of separate pieces of 
very stout plank, which Fasten together by pins, 
and take to pieces as requisite* The bottom is 
scared a cross into little clntunele, and pierced with 
hales where the scoring* cross cai-h other. The fide* 
also are pierml, and their upper edges deep scored 
in tike ivuy. The Ile], which tits slackly in the Box,, 
has a platform of limit cross piecesi raised upon it, the 
object of which will be apparent when we corner to the preying. 

Six boxei of ihls description having hern prepared, each is lined with a 
wheel of Wc cloth sufficiently large on all aides 
to lap over and cover the upper part of the con¬ 
tents of the box when filled. Thus prepared, 
two boxes nt a time are now placed between the 
Press pi 11 an, and are ready for the reception of 
the Indigo, The filling then commence!*. The 
Indigo, *tdt a wet thick gluten ahuni the cor- 




Ml'r or rU.JHlIiii J>.iJl. 




inm rrnmiiu tjuut. 























Til H Man ctacti.' he nr in moo. 


133 



liiftciurf of batter, is brought in puflij and tin- hi nr* art* filkd until the 
centre of the mass h th rcu or ibnr lucked above the edges of the bow?*. The 

cloths arc then care¬ 
fully laid over it 
from ail four aides, 
—i Timer bit# olio arc* 
inserted and tinned 
nvtTp so as to prevent 
the possibility of the 
material escaping, 
and the lids (a) tilted 
On* Two other hoses 
being now prepared 
are placed upon the 
tops of the fiesta 
and square blocks of 
wood (marked [») in 
the drawing beneath) laid across the lids of the upper om>* + 


The work of seren ing now begins, for unsH these boxe* have been some¬ 
what compressed there is not room for the third pair to he introduced* At 
runsetpiLUtt on the roa.-s of Itidbo projecting above the bo* observable 



at {trV the pressure in iuwcis, and the Pressmen insert small wrdgr- on 
whichever side the inch nut loti appears, until the nuts become* mprnre, when 
















RL~lt.iL LIFE IS BEKflAI*. 


131 


they arc no longer required. Immediately tliit the screwing comioeiiM the 
water begins to flow from all sides, and the object nf the numerous acurings 
and piercings in the boxes will now be apparent* Originally I sun told* these 
scoring* also served to mark the mm of the cake* into which the block was 
to be cot, but that forms no part of their Am ign in the present tlay. 

The operations I have just described comancnee at nine in the moruing, 
and end in the evening* At first the crewing i* rapid* but a* the draining 
proceeds, mid the material becomes harder, an additional turn, or half turn* 
of the screw k mffitient at long intervals, so that by five or *ix hi the evening 
tbRinapa of gluten, wliidl in the morning was twelve or thirteen inches thick* 
lips, heeu (.tiiii pressed into tllfl space of four inches, until, in abort, the lids 
liave hank, within the boxes, and ihe blocks fii) and the bottoms of the upper 
baffles rest upon the edges of the lower- Hence you w ill observe the use of 
the platforms of urns- piece* built upon the lids* the depth of which, nicely 
adjuKtcd U> the required degree, ^ V rve as guide* to the extent of pressure 
requisite, f 11 this state the whole \> allowed to remain all night until six 
o'clock next morning. when nearly every particle of water brus of murtv ruu 
out, and left the Indigo of precisely the same cnuHiatcncy a bar of soap, 
F rhc presa in now opened—the Itoxes removed^one side displaced bv 
knocking nut the pin*, and the mu [Lining three lifted away from I be block 

of Indigo tbiLt rests at the bottom* The doth i* 
then cure fully removed from the liluck of Indigo, 
which is trimmed of all those auperflncm& wmm 
and projections that, rousequent on the ltd 
fitting loosely into the hoses, are found to have 
been squeezed tap* a quarter of cm ineb thick* 






fiL.‘>.1. ur J3HKWi. 


mu] an inch ami n half high ad round the edgem 
Tlii'sc enttmgs anil trimming* are gathered together, and rebelled with the 
next day's eueui nfactiiru. 

The block is now ready to 
he cut into cakes 5 but simple 
as this operation may api^car, 
the aid of the pencil is ocers- 
■ary for its explanation* The 
first cUtting-fniinG used mem- 

hies a drawing easel, which i* 
pierced into seven perfendldl- 
Jar groove*, extending upwards 
to within b couple of iueben of 
the upper edge* and downward* 
about half cm inch deep into 
the Icdgtng, upon which the 
block of Indigo is cart fully «*-i cw™ 

lifted and adjustiKL I bis done, two men ±mt themsalvei on either side 





















Til r; KAVtVfAtITTXn& OF INDlntl. 138 


nf I In IV .1 u i i i, uuil pacing it to in , L«i one end of which there is el handle, 
through the grooves* draw d do™ from tin top to tlic bottom, and so 
cut lljf block into neveis long lu&rs. These Inin* are then earricil to a table* 
where a second cutting frame is ready fur it* recep¬ 
tion, Th-im in a long box, open at the top and at 
either end, nod, like the fir*t frame, grooved into 
divisions corresponding with the hire of cnkca into 
which- the Indira is now finally to be cut. Into 
tins box the liar of Indigo is sIjl! , and thin, ita loai 
cutting, lb effect pd by n little instmmem resembling el pair of wooden mm- 
passes* or shem-w, with a wire stretched heroes llici large cm], which 
it ib tdmml fiijpfTlbinus to say b simply luid rdpully pres Bed down 
the grooves through the bnr of Indigo, 

Jicing now divided into six cakes., lliew are bawl id to tine 
Stamperj a man who* etuurHiig at the some tnhLr, places the cukes, 
one by one, oil a sumU block uf mm?l t and* after [lusting the upper 
silk until tine lifted asht 1 * from the furnace* wupreeBest no eneh* ™ ,TlllL “ p 
with a large bra&s stamp and a voodtm i mi I let, the name of tlic Factory 
—the initials of the mMittfacturcr* and n number* denoting the day of 
its preparation. The moment till* operation is complete* the eakt* are 


carried away by Iwyn to the Room, a entupfirttnent of which you, have 

seen converted into a school room frtrirp, 131, where upon bamboo grating or 
shelves, reaching nearly to the roof, they are ranged in raws, and left to dry 
for the space* probably, of three mnnih-s at the end of which litue the weight 
of each cake has become reduced from nbaut twenty-Four ounces to little 
tnore than eight. 

In thb condition the Indigo b ready for ftneking, —eiikI now the carpenter 
and his unites are busily engaged in preparing the requisite Iotcj* in wlndi 
i I In careful] v packed, ami at the seusou 1 have already design bed* h srllt 
down in boats to Calcutta, and shipped for Europe,—where U|k>u being 





KiniffD nrmto liin. 













i m 


El&iL LI FE IK DUKGAL. 




npon the ground,—heavy weather at Eea having damaged the cheat®/—T trim 
remember ob*m irig to extend from n ship in the W^t India Docks, through- 
out ihe whole length of the Commercial Rood to Caiman Street in the City! 

And Urns, to the beat of ttit power, I Imve desmibed to you the whole 
process of the manufacture* of Indigo, 


unpacked against the quarterly sales, U is tossed out of the chests, and 
all the labour and pains lientowcd on the mathematically squared and 
nicely trimmed and stamjwd cake* is found in. many instances thrown away 
upon a Ena:>s of shapcU^* broken lumps anil blue powder/—trace* of which 


E7iKT.rktu‘j OUttUf J.1D I 


























rai id viniz. 1 * EBnuirsirx, tan AlXfr fritABI, 


LETTER IX. 


Mubmtk, A*g*$t IM. 

Retoti fi takmg leave of the subject of tie w mBwdMtuie Jr with which 
my lust letter 1 was oi'cupsedp si may not lie altogether iiujjitcrcsting i! I lull 
you Borne thing more ll* to the firing machinery 
which the operations I have been describing have 
set to work, and brought into active employment. 

There is^fimof alb the Gouuwtah—the head cul¬ 
tivator—Baboo tJmrb Chmilcr Jiodkctj I'e—an in- 
tclligou t —b n ppy-faced, and , S be! ievr, good-n ati imi 

I [iiirlno of the 
higher nr Brah¬ 
min order, hav¬ 
ing far less than 
common of that 
business-like 
calculating phy¬ 
siognomy which 
is thought cha- 
met eristic of his 
class or men pa- 
patiofiLj and of 
which p perhaps, 

T 


RuIlB CVC**U liTf i* HiaTiH. 



















im 


atHAL LITt IN HEXC1.LL, 


onr ptiullun m-l«N;jk3njet friend here 1 —the Gomastnh of me of the nut-factories, 
who rauie in the other morning on duty,—offer** cl ranch greater share ►—— 
“But, sir," said 111* (nfier sitting dawn, at my request, to be df&WtO, "whiit 

will be your profit by taking my picture 1 1 *- -It h» questionable whether tuy 

reply would afford lum a very exalted conception of my business acumen. 

I 1 be salary of n Gotno-Stah varies from twenty-five to fifty roopcen per 
month—but this is not the extent of liis income; and here we fall upon that 
a be imitation, respecting winch T have already srdil ho much,—the Dit-xiooirce 
system. It is, of course* to the ftocrin^iah that the first, and most probably 
the heaviest instalment of this tax i* paid, and what llyut is there who would 
dream of its evasion f—Since the date of my fanner letter, in which I dwelt 

on thin subject, I have been assured by Mr. J - I t -, of the Xeechindi- 

ports concern, that he once endeavoured feu pot n stop to the villainous 
practice hy paying 1 the mutiry him$eff to the Ryut&f The consequence wan 
precisely that which I have described m taking place with the Calcutta 
Dnnran,—they quietly returned, and paid the Omnaeteh tab du^toofec ! 
Speaking a few day a ugn with a very intelligent native of this place, and 
questioning Him respecting the various cultivations of the season, and lastly 
touching Indigo and the Ryuta, be paid t -— 11 Sir, they don't mind cultivating 
Indigo j—that is not it,—it in tho duntoQrre which is taken from them ; M —and 
the amount iiliicls this man assured me was thins taken, appear* m Unreason^ 
able that I hesitate to repeat it. 

IV e have had n Cl ovem or-f rcneral who abolished the horrors of Suttee,— 
another who has further emancipated the poor widow from her thraldom by 
legalimig her re-marriage,—and if he would 
now, in Bimilftr philanthropic spirit, make the 
receipt of IVustooreec 1 penal atffmee, (for nothing 
short of that will stop it) t be would, I believe, 
in the nrtl degree be recogni^l as a benefactor;; 
for though such a eonsnmuialLou might not 
have the glory of a conquest aver Suttee, or 
the other social abomination, it would vet, by 
affording the poor an fuimiriiiicc that lbe fruit 
of their labour was their own and not another 1 ^ 
prnriilc no *maJI encouragement to industry, 
and in a proportionate degree aid tin* develop¬ 
ment of it?L resoftrens. 

After the Gmtm?uah wr bare the Xhib— 

Balwx* tiungEi N arasn ilonkcijce, whaw duty ia 
that of gathering iri tho rents, and paying them 
over to the Zumeendw. All matters, tn short, 
conn ret eft with rent, art in hii hands; and his 
salary is about fifty roopeo* a mouth. Following 
him Eire the kninees* or writers, on salaries vnryitig, according to ihfdr du tjpu and 



i pi i mw urn in jriiii n ■:ir>Eraun 1 

















TOE FACTOAT SEaVANTK. 




abilities from |he to thirty rtKipftts. Then tli t- JLU, or lield-Sirenr, lie who 
is seen on a puny, riding about the fields in tliu morning, who *upmiitGink 
the eu iteration, and measures the land. Then inay cotur liic Amecri, nti 
ofQuial. iu charge of a division of the cultivation. under the orth-m of the 
Gomaatnli; and subordinate to the AnuXi!, again, there i* what us called 
n Tug-Jidgectj—one who superintend* n small portion of the land, 

Nuit, I may introduce our friend Rjirndehnll—the Jemadar, a hurl t, big- 
framed, smart, and intelligent esccutive: official — sort of private stuff— ji 

1 Fadlisduen/ and * man-Friday , 1 in abort—wlio, 
rl Li ling a long, and l believe, tdembly faithful 
sendee iritli a kind master, hew contrived by 
frugality suit! speculation. [to r-ny nothing of very 
possible 1 l)u*lciun%T J } to moke himself master of 
u very Te^pcctablc-looking group of Seed Golubs 
and huts, which yon can *cc at the head of this 
Letter, farming, indeed, the imelcus of a future 
village, of which in old age he will probably lie 
tlie comfortable well-to-do head man. 

After the Jemadar, I may name the Burkcu- 
dhrees and Chowkcydm, or wiitehmen employed 
to guard the premises and the cultivation. Nest, 
the Finder, Cbijpratsee, or Messenger; and lantly 
among ihooe who may be considered on the regular 
bln!?, or constant employ, b die worthy old Sirdar, 
auperinteinkut of Coolies, 
whose happy, good |iu- 
mail red, though puckered, 
yet bright -eyed iittl c coun¬ 
tenance, i* indicative of 
that green old age which 
lialdti of temperance ami 
great activity, are t+o calculated if 3 ensure,—But of 
this, perhaps* [ may iaj t remarkable little man, upon 
whom my huly hostcaa hius aptly conferral the oaufai- 
quef of "the Uird/ T I have something to tell yon,— 
for his activity., despite bis slender frame and spindle 
limbs, in of no common order. 

upon an occasion of a gentleman guest at MlU- 
Uith having very urgent ncetttky for the dispatch 
of a letter to Calcutta, in time for the iicyt days 
Overland Mail, Rude* Hialms [audi Whig the little 
man's name), was askral if, for a reword* he would 
undertake LW IoaV of carrying the packet. Albeit 
he bud that morning actually walked fraru Cbugda to Muliiatb, n distance of 


TH 


ftMil WiSJl. «l 

M i:wUu. 






















no 


ULUU.il tin is tiSNUA h* 


MXtcen mil es (a fart of which Ids ina_HEer was ujiloiiscIouh when proposing ihe 
AilrlitLsjiutl journey U Rodeo Hishas cheerfully undertook it. At four in the 
afternoon he Left Mul until— not upou a smooth mud, but tier oss a rough 
euuntry — mul, walking ul I night, 1 ached the Bengal Chib, in Cimwriiighcfe, 
at fttitr t/itf next mo rn )ng 1 — tifty-tw o miJ c* in i ■ .w 1 l r in i ura 1 11 avi n g sii m e 

this, he rttunifil by boat tli.jp next rreumg to Lhugdn, and from tfifncc t ait or 
au additional walk of sixteen miles — on to Mulnnthl Now his age i* fifty- 
nine,—and, albeit this in Europe may he little beyond the prime and vigour 
of lifCj it is not sii, you may suppose, amongsE the natives nf an Indian 
dime,—and therefore the task, but fur my knowledge that the facts are 
beyond all doubt, would have appeared incredible. Whatever reward our 
little pedestrian received, he fully merited one which should have enabled him 
to take rest for six mouths afterwards. 

Of the manufacturing establishment — that is men, women, bojis* cart and 
boatmen, employed in the work 1 ’ during the manufacturing season, I must 
deal rather in a tabular statement than m any individual notice of thorn. 
Err doing m>, I musi. premia that the aerunm having been an unfortunate one, 
only six out of fifteen pair of ruts Lave Ijocu at work. For tlusr the quan¬ 
tity of BynttiT mlti vialm bins amounted U> 31 fW liigguliB* or, way about 
UJo acrtN of land,—and of Xeezj or private ground, 230 biggahn, whilut 
tJie number of Kyuts with whom accounts have been contracted for fuLtiva- 
tion, amount to one thousand and sixty-five. 

The following Table, then, shows you the duties performed by the people, 
-—how many are of the Bhoom tribe, — how many from Midnaporc,—how 
many Uasee—that Ie, belonging to this pari of Bengal—and the salaries they 
receive per month 


IlickrBj-nicD— fur Mirlcti oF IbLinMlra. amS 
lit* nr r«rti li&r fartRgipg in Hit; 

Ikiiluusii—far 4£ b-u aLh . 

Siril**, or MperktiiuLmiE oFIkIm 

Y*i^*U4i!wi, OJf Lralf hi, 

Flflni JlrmiiWi , * 

GIukh Fiuu-p WuHtal* * 

HbhrhUci■'- iUfkdmib m tbe pLiup, &r, 
Boiaag-)u>iBr sum - . . , 

Hlnl«t r CtT h ' i/liJiL'L ■ lu::Q Hu the liflUtf - 
Fmiinp-qwq . 

Gtibt-moiijii wr>Tnrn—fQr nrrjiitg l be pilot 
fluJun Coolie hr-j* . , 

fiirikf afCinQu * . 

GlbiL^Durajcti . , ... 

Cita-ciitEst* * 

Carpenter . . , . , , ( 

BiullitniU) ■■■■** 


\’1Q Lad. 


Bbwnai, Ifiijji apart* l.kltrf. 

Snf*ricir 

It*, a* t 

w * 4 -w ™" 

_ _ — 

V2Q 

— 

7 

s 

* *■•- + * 

. — 

DA 

— 

9 

n 

“ 1 " 

•r 4 ■ 4 ► ■ “" i 

i 

— 

4 

0 

Hutto* — 

IIULlrt, — 



, 

, 

», * ■ m u R. 

__ — 

2 

— 

2 

0 

4 4 «■ 4- ■■ ■* 

****** — 

30 

— 

3 IS 

4 1' -4 + + # h 

. — 

1 

— 

4 

4 

+ — 

_ _ _ 

« 

— 

a 

Q 

* ’* . - * * 


3 

— 

a l£ 

*-!**■» 

_ ... — 

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THIS FACTORV SIHVAXT*. 


Ill 


The total number of people, therefore, eonnmmly coiled Coo ilea, ihu* 
employed in tin** Fartnuy, Leuh fcieen threes hundred and iiitictY-fii’c*. 

Had tli l" neuuu fu'Cii fortunately more prodiudivi*. It if® probable that this 
mimbcr^ouM havebeen doubled; mid its therearc firveaiteen otter Factories 
ruquiHng u aimiinr tranpaniry erUuhliidimcml:, the total tmnilKT of baud* era- 
ployed for about two months in the Mo loath oouctrm at ati average season, 
Itki u i i ii the guod anil the hud, may lie Kunietliing qIjqvl! Ten Thoufljuid. 
These hep, nf course, irrespective of about one hundred md (ifty regular 
servant a of the higher tda*^ wIiehc duties 1 Lave already described to you. 















Jixuxitnc kzif. 


LETTER X. 


MxiituiA. Jpgmtl iWAr 

My lost two Letters have been bo entirely occupied with flu? subject 
of ludigo and it* inamsfacttire, a* to lutve excluded mention of ^ome 
otkt matter? which have occurred during my present Lengthened stay 
hire, mid serve to murk other jvmnirs exciting; mid aad t in Mofusanl life. 
Where, indeed, is that Itapion spot in nor sublunary state in which there 
are no sorrow* as a sFCt-ulf to the more pleasing aspect of the mntr- 

TIlc buudatioEu arc now nearly at their hcighl—thn Kice cultivators 
have gathered in their Qua crops, mud what is called the Gvhh pdntw t which 
is the red-colusired or muddy water brought down by the streams in their 
course from the upper provinces, fills the Eeeluumittco, under cover of which 
earthy veil the alligator*, that hud probably, during the hot weather, retired 
to the Soouderbund*, have returned to their accustomed haunts, and two 
pour women have already, within the jkw-t fortnight, fallen nmfL@cs to these 
stealthy and rapacious tmmitcrm. U is as a protection again**! tiicsc In-usta 
that strong fences of wood mid bamboos tire planted round notue of the 
glints—extending about nix or eight feet into the river, to afford safety la 
the people when bathing, or taking water for their domestic propose*—an 
















AI.LIflATOUS, 


1 W 


office tv3iidi almost iisvariahly falls to 11 11 ? women, In vain, however, are 
even these means of safety provided for ignorant, amt frequently obstinate, 

fatalists. Mr* F-- here wn* at the pains of erecting one of these fences 

at the ghftt near to the Ferry and Market-)place, mid purely you would think 
that those for wlw benefit it was done wmliM Ijo at the trifling paina of, at 
leastn attending to its repair. Not only , however, do they neglect this, hut 
very frequently the n*e of tlie protection id together I It wm but a few 
mornings ago, whilst sketching the ghfit, that I observed an dd woman who, 
coming for water, and walking down wdritU instead of within the fence, 
indulged in irn ungracious grumble in answer to my I'emrmstrance with bar 
on her want of caution. 

Upon the first occasion of my seeing an alligator, I was in company with 

Mr. S-, whoso skill and frequent suaceBa in the destruction of this anim al 

ha* gained him the appellation amongst the native* of the " Kmmfii'f Svhlb™ 
nr the alligator gentfonuun Having juEccrtaim'd where the beast had been 
last seen, which was amongst numo Indigo on a low part of the bank, me, at 
about eight in the morning, crossed the river, and creeping ncrisclrstdy down 
to within a lew paces of bis jHiHtifun which wn* quickly (Uncovered, my com* 
pardon's lifnt 1 \w lodged a henry rifle-ha31 nearly in the erntrc of his skull, 
when with n humid he plunged into the river. In [he eoiime of the day 

circumstance* providentially for me!) eonipi-Mi-d my having Mr. $-to 

pursue the chase alone. By five in the evening he had succeeded, with 
infinite labour and pail)*, in [ns lie supposed) killing the brute (struck with 
eight balls), when, fastening n rope to it* ucek* ho and bis boatmen com* 
men red towing it Co the shore. At this moment the women and villager* on 
the opposite brink, calling out, begged that they might be allowed to ew 

their old enemy; upon which Mr, S-desiring to gratify diem, turned, 

and bad reached mid-itrcfcni, when the animal, suddenly reviving, made a 
plunge into till? boat t which in stanch 1 npMir, and every kou], of canrw, was 
thrown into the river 1 Most fortunately my fi ii uel—bin servant, and hoail- 
men, all could *wiin, and safely reached the shore. 11 ml I iHULlttiucil of the 
party, n* T cannot >whu ttn forli, my fortune might have been otherwiauu It 
w tt* but a dying struggle un the part ■ d the alligator, which, with the boat, 
immediately sank, hut wil* reQavrrcd in the collide of Lhc following naiming 
»ind brought down, hunt and Ml. to ihr Factory ghslt. 

Upon opening this brute, whose *ptMi mortem 1 appearance is here prrsented 
to you, and which measured fourteen feet and n half in length, them were 
found in the stomach, ijcnidi’a human bones and linir 'the latter in targe 
quantkir*)* irmtal bangles, armlets (now in your jK>^/ssitin) r ring*, and such 
like ornaments* which evidence tif his having earned off, at the least, 

four women,—without knowing how many men and children, who wear no 
omampiip, may have hinm added to the number of hi* unfojiimntt? virlnnsl 
Verily, H truth i# at ranger than fiction/ 1 We mrc nun i*cd at the German 
legend of llir “Dragon of EhodeR," but in author h not guilty of the 





















RVXiL Lli r E IN BENGAL* 


144 


I'Vtr&vQ^cince, sis it would bn deemed, of representing the people daily dock¬ 
ing to the haunt of the bctistj and voltttttarDy exposing themselves to tlic 
danser of Ki i h jaws. Yet do these poor simple, and gemsr&Uy timid villagers 
of Bengal, knowing that this monster hi id for years taken tip hi* jtfSflt, like a 
sentry, hr fore their village, confining Iris heat {front which an alligator i* 
seldom, if ever known to wander, until change nf season), to om reach, nr 
bend in the river, whereon their village ia situated, daily come down to bathe, 
either with no protection at M t or, if any, nothing better than the frail and 
impaired fence 1 have already described,—some of them extending probably 
only half-way round the giant! At two inch ghats were, upon the morning 
T have referred to, some half-dozen poor wonien, In thing a* unconcernedly ns 
though they had been in. the Thames, whilst the brute wo were then hunting 
was actually swimming below the surface within thirty yard* of them, — 
“What can we do V* they replied, in answer to my caution,—“we must 
bathe, and fetch water!” 



HPAP ii4JnjneJi4 


My friend* Mr, F B bower er, gave me a fur more marvel Inns illustra¬ 
tion of the ignorance and hinidntable fatalism with which these poor people 
are blinded. Riding by the river *idts one morning he heard u heavy spl&idi, 
and immediately saw a fisherman rush up the hank, whilst a diimppninlril 
alligator, which hail sprung at him hut misAcri his prey, was retreating. 
With id! ins aginary cooInC'S, the man walked not more than one hundred 
yards lower down the river, went down again into the water, middle deep, 

and renamed his occupation an e hi nigh nothing Imd happened 1 Mr, F- 

remonstrntiugly asked the i^nple about why tber permitted biro tn do so? 
when, with the most amusing and gond-humonml *tixg fn)id r they replied— 
ff Uh Sahib t jUita moliuh kctkftno kh4et nd - 11 Olij sir, they won't cat 
fl*hermcn I" 

On the occasion of the first of the melancholy accidents I have referred 
to as having occurred lately, a poor woman was standing several feet from 
the water's edge, bargaining with a fisherman fur his fish, when an alligator 
stealthily approached the bank, and with a sudden wheel of his body, swept 












ALL] HA TUBE, 


1 K5 


her with his tail of!' the laud, anti, instantly lining lirr P dbapianred! I wan 
wfr^lliML5 Oil the rivrr r H bank myself at the time* and cm reaching home and 
hearing whmt had opt-nrred, went otf to the Hpot, where I found n servant 
firing at the animal with a fowling-piccev It w;t> an immense brute, appear¬ 
ing to mo, ilb it warn under the bank where I stood, full n yard in breadth 
the hack ! Wien first seen, it wtw swimming about with the unfortu¬ 
nate woman in its monstrous jaws The first shat which struck him induced 
him to drop hiw unfortunate prey— but it was, of course, too late—the poor 
Croatian? waa already dciuL 

Not more than ten day a hid elapsed at lioc this occmrrcticOg when we 
received intelligence that another poor woman had been carried oil’ from 
a village rolled Mndeaporc, on the other bide of the river. Early in tlie 
morning I joined Mr; F in a visit to the ^[iot p and amid eric-* of 1 amenta- 
lion, we were led to the hut of the unfortunate deceased, where the bereaved 
were bewailing tlie Iush of a youthful wife—she was hut seventeen year* of 
age—the mother of two unfortunate* infant* under three* Having ridden for 
some tliMtancc along the hank of tin- river we went hack to the village and 
leaving instruction, should the brute make Id!* appearance there again. imme¬ 
diately to give on notice, we returned to Alnlimtln Seumdy had we arrived 
there, when n man from the village castie miming in with information that 
tlie alligator hail again come Tip,—a thing hardly anticipated nt the time, iw 
this luihntilp after a capture and mt-nl of this kind, w seldom seen ngaia for 
two or three days. Hastily & wallowing n enp of tea, and provided with ritle 
and ammunition, 1 re crowed the river, aud rode to the village; tor, albeit no 
Nimrod, the st'Ctie nt tLie village had bo excited my feelings that J was hum- 
MJg for retribution on tlie hmie that hiul ravKid so much misery, and voivtil 
in my heart to rid the place by !iib destruction if J could effect it. 

1 -wan met by a group of people, who toh] me that the animal was then on 
the bank close at hand, but, ere 1 could even load* the noise created by wo 
many talking gave the alarm, and a heavy splash in the water lu in a mi red 
that my best dm nee woe already gone. In about ten minute*, however, the 
beast wa* discovered high and dry on the opposite bank of the river, which 
WM at this place itlyoui ime bund ml yard? m breadth. 11 is appearance at 
Ibis distance was that of a fallen trunk of n tree, far which, tmiri’d,, w ithout 
the aid of more experienced eye.?. 1 should certainly nL first have taken him. 
Firing, I struck him in the rid.... when, with a sort of *omersct, hr plnnj. d 
into Lite river. A wounded alligator is generally known to come to the 
surface again in about ten minute*, anil within that time this our made Ids 
appearance again in mid-stream. A srvnttif sluu struck him hi (hr rirh- .if 
the head, and again plunging beneath the surface he disappeared for a siriiilur 
period ; when again rising, I struck him in the neek t and a shout frtuu the 
villagers, who were watching the prowt-ding*, an non need their conviction— 
ftB it wa* my own bnjjc—-that he was mdrd hmm- —killed. \ was not di stilled 
lo he no for tun at e% however, Killing nti alligator h a matter not «o vofv of 

V 


















Ml/It.VI. Lll'K IN UMSU.Vl. 


148 


aceorn.pliahmeoij even to the- mtud eiperienbedt us my frit 1 mi Mr. £- + n 

adventure would show you; hut to a tiurice it offers difficulties in the way 
of skilly autivity, patience > and eLLtiur40Cfl> cf ua small magiiitinhiH Betidra, 
my firat shot wu* ill-judgetb Like the Dragon r»f Bhtxlea., the allien tur 
is raid to offer hui one vulnerable port- - and that is the vertebra? of the 
neck ■ unless it he also under the fore shoulder* On examination of the 
skull, the brain is found to occupy a space not more thou two iueW in 
diameter, ami that is surrounded by a large most of bonc + os though Nature 
in funning the ttnmud had determined to compensate fur the paucity of brain 
by the amount of protection she afforded to it, 

The nniiiisd l wm Lull ting, however* finding the place too hot, now took 
to travelling. Obtaining n fisherman's boat from Use village, I iinmediately 
pursued, and commenced a wearisome chase from side lo side—backward* 
and forwards, hither and thither, until live o'clock in the evening, when 
being late—fairly disheartened, and burnt crimson from exposure to the 
fierce m n throughout the day (an August day!) I returned Lomu, having 
succeeded only—miles* he nobsecjnently died of his wounds— in driving the 
beast el mile nr two from the viQ&ge he had hitherto haunted. 

Two days ofkerwanlB, accompanied by my frienda of Koudaporc [Mr- 

B—, the M K on nicer SaMb/ 1 —ami Mr. M-1. 1 returned to the spot 

where 1 had la-<t seen the Mudcapore alligator. Here 1 had well nigh been 
the hunted in place of the hunter; for crossing the river in u bout, and 
clambering die bank, a brunch of the jungle by which I held gave way* and 
I /r// in at a spot whins a few m unite* afterward* an alligator rnuic vpt 
Whether this wbm the same beast l bail there chased, or another, it is impos¬ 
sible to say* but our united cflbrts proved insufficient for hi* capture- Mr. 
M — —Fa pursuits* however, being little iiiok than my own of a jfpurtiaif 

character, his want of success was not more to he surprised ut, am] Mr. S-- 

having met with an accident, took little or no part. 

Mr. F-informs me thnt upon an average aljout a rlu2en or more deaths 

occur in the course uf every year in the immediate neighbourhood of Mulnath 
fruiii the ravages of the alligator. Con venring yesterday with the J emrukr, who 
accompanied me in one of luy walks to the rher side* he assured tut 1 that the 
deaths were numerous, but that, consequent on the dread which the poor people 
have of a visit from the Dati^a and his myrmidons, on a sort of mock coroners 
inquiry, ant! the fear of being summoned to the Kiskiingluir courts, they bin! 
an object in cvmxafthp rather than in making known the otttiorcnera* 



KVI.I. W ilXiUJ^uh. 






















i'Bl! IT L I 1 II I ll I II WJTTCWliyi’il bill. 


LETTER XI. 

Sprint Arr SOfi, 


Immloovo in a long and interesting nimble amongst the villages this 
morning, it struck me, that whilet atrimming over little more than the mere 
mulcts of native life and manner#, ns I have hitherto done, you would bo 
interested by going a little- detper—kijowing something more, in short, of the 
domestic economy mu I nn'iiil condition of the people around os than 1 have 
hitherto attempted to introduce yon to, Instead, therefore, uf wandering 
about the exterior of their huts, and contenting ourselves itriili mini i ring 
their ruhl.ii: iVntttre* atid pictorial fthpnctp let li* step closer. ami without 
violence to the ftiioetiiy of Slindijo privacy, or MohiMnmiidnu prejudice atari 
dcvoniiu, lift the purdah from the door—peep within, nnd observe its hntable 
inmates,—for humble they im 

Thu interior of the dwelling—the outer division of it [for It raaj lac in 
two partPij, I have already described to you—is f< poor indeed ! rf Tim walk 
like the flaw* are of pure white “imeoth intid, Thrrr is a little square 
window at one end, scarce eighteen inches wide, and live nr *\\ feet high j 
whilst beneath the rave* there is w space also to permit the escape of -.moke. 
Some trifling superiority may exist between this mid the huts, or bungalows. 




















HflUt UFK l> nESaAL. 


US 


of tinwc in better or in middling: eairunnstanecs—which mar bo more cum- 
modiousK—have mat walk instead of mud— he fun untied with wooden doors— 
and have- either a litrge window, nr a pair of windows, with wnckleu bur* and 
rustier *hntter* tn them ■ bat generally speaking there in little variety between 
the two r\t ri'iiu^—ihn rlwelling 1 have described, rtinl the brick-built houses 
of the rick. To return, then.* tu thr humble cottage. Its master is in the 
fields, atteiuhrig tii Ins crop*, or other duty. Thu wife it busy within the 
hut; which “serves her fur kitchen k for parlour, mid hall.”—But .she is a 
mother also*—and it in to the occupant rjf the ffiws mat near the entrance 
tliaE I wiAi to direct your atUWitioa&v—There lies her little one —It may he a 
hif}/ —tir, in Hindoo estimation, le>> happily, n girl—'** an animal [as the 
ruodest young gentleman tu Ftutrh ob&erves), of a dwridcdly inferior sort." 
With the II inrtn o^ Luwe ult* ] believe 1hin disparaging estimate arises in 
reality not ulingcLbcr from an assumed inferiority hi creation, but very 
cuasnkndih , aUu, from the trouble* and anxieties winch are incidental to 
lIh- i 1 hpisunkI of a thtitifhirr when site hnn arrival at, mj called, mut»irtiy T and 
when the evils of their dim social jdwminfttkjna may east her an their hands 
for life—if mt/awt 

And here, ii imy properly he obfMsrvcd, that the Asiatic and the Euro¬ 
pean, of certain claPH_ K ii, share much alike in the difficulties which obstruct 
the matrimonial pal In The Brahmin, or other Hindoo of high caste* » 
nr it Tier n! liberty himself to marry with a lower degree* nor so to unite hi* 
daughter. She must he mulched with one who b her equal*—0* her whole 
family and kindred are dishonoured ; anti so h+ caste,” m at present dominant 
amount the people* whatever the spirit of the Muh&bhflrAt and other of the 
Shnstrra may say about it,+ does for the Hindoo what nmk, position, and 
education* do fur the Europetm; to whom* wetting aside the denuauh of 
equality in rank, it is not mom abhurent to l>c united to one of low habits 
and education, than to the OrafuniEi or other high-castc father it would he to 
Mr In> daughter espoused in a grade or order one step below his own. 

As however, in European* so in Asiatic life, few are either the couven- 
tioimUtics or intellectual liais that stand in thr marriage way of flic lower 
and uneducated orders i and with tills comforting condtirian in their favour, 
h i us th'Ncetirl lu our jndimi plains again, ami restmic our observation of the 
inmate* ot the hut. Your tp\ sludl have its Christian place—■priority:—the 
little ijemipunl of tin- mat shall lie n girl* She b humble enough, aud few 
eonventhuudities will noun Su hrr way, So our little maiden shall have a 
husband in good time — and far tun soon* it may Ik?:. Wv will not, therefore, 
lie in greater imete than are her parents-—but stop with her where she is—go 
where she goes, and watch her progress forward. 

Her apparel, you observe, is ample. Her lung-dothes " liberal a* the 
sin ;” her crinoline, wide os the heavens themselves— m short* she is in 
want of nothhtj —all is provided. An Indian April day is cloak and blanket 
* 3« “' Wlui b Cui* P ,H Bj Uir lie* Or. Duff. 



















El Jit duo i l M ale child, X-IO 


enough; hut her hr i pin amber akin shines, you may remark, more bright 
tiiari schoolboy's “morning fun?,” Christian mother* nre often in the habit 
of was ting the delicious “ cold drawn” contents of a certain oil-bottle, by 
pouring it down the throats of their uufortuntiir little oiirn; litit an Indian 
mother iy more frugal, lustciul of troubling herself vritli j|a fWfn'ffT, which 
ip generally left to take rare of itself, or mrivetcd by aim jilt? alteration of 
habits, or diet—ihc more frequently etulravoLirs to fortify tin- exterior, 
nrni adonis its little figure by a routing of Mmterd C®—which senes a* 
triple protection against heat, wild, ami moHqtiitoea. From the day of her 
birth such has been lu-r morning toilet, arid until she lu? n year old such it 
will probably continue; mid thus adorned, wearer was she fire days old, 
probably, ere she was plrn-rd in the sun, m she may have been every morning 
since—cither for warmth in the mid weather, or to acclimate her to its beams 
in the hot—Whntcvei skin, therefore, the tittle our pressed when I*mi, and 
eomptmitively it was very' fair, you will not wonder at the deptli of tint it bus 
since acquired. 

Sbf? is now five mouth* nhL About the nomplEtion of her second, 
ftbc filtered iLprin her i 1 r.-t tioticcabb step in lift'—she obtained ji name. The 
parent* consulted the astrologer, find he the heavenly bodies ; and baring 
determined upon the star that seemed ascendant on her birth, tine mother* 

« bit generally ha* the privilege of clmira, was provided with the first letter 
tn its designation, and (in aemnhnice with the usual practice of borrowing 
the name of n god or flower), she salacted one, the Initial letter of which wr- 
rr^ponded with that of the star of her child's nativity. I [or choice, voti will 
admits w ilh rsut implex sing. She named her little one KrUhtomowr { literally 
Hit' Jtt' r! qf Krt&hnn. The nanus of the gods are generally chosen, becatiM. v 
it is believed that their repetition is meritorious, and, operating like Hn\ 
ecnisumos all sin. r J his dnne. the astrologer received whatever fee may 
have been within the oompa^ of the parents* mcamq atid departed, Xor 
godfather nor godmother vowed anything in Aer name,—nor prayer was 
uttered, nor bh^&Lug of any hind was nought on her behalf; and with no 
other acquisition than her fine name, she is now left to kiok her heels upon 
the mne when her mother i* bimy, or to straddlt aen.^s her hip when she goes 
u> market or to bring w ater from the river ride- 

Tin in far, T may here remark, there has lieen liltk tn dutingniih her from 
thr ehiidreTi of tltc higher Chiracs, Thrir means, of course „ enable them to 
adorn their children in a superior manner, and to drep* them at an earlier 
perhul p ami ip a costlier fjuddonj hot there is the good chance, id&Oj, in these 
advancing days, a* I shall presently have en’easiou to shew yon, that the 
mother may h« a reading woman. We will endeavour to see what she read#, 
tiy-aiid-byCj and simply here ofowenr that, io this case, there ettii hardly fail 
lie some advantage in mind and temper, exercising em ififiatmco favourable 
to the training of her children, Hut alas \ that mother u perhaps, never abroad 
at all, uEdrxs in a covered conveyance;—she knows less of the world than 


























150 


•RfR.lt LIFE IS BEXC-.lt. 


does t he men ini who sweep? her floor, and her children cue kept rigidly 
within door*, where, i/ they benefit by incurring less of evil to their minds, 
they low by suffering scrims injury to (heir bodies/ — and he will be a 
cunning anatomist who ahull shew us their independence of each other. 

To return, however, to out little rustic maiden, She i* left to 
mn shout, in-door* or out, very much in (lie *umv freedom of attire in 
which we first observed hcr T until about her sixth year, when it i * 
mure than probable *he ha* become a very charm big little objeet j for, 
with her large and lufitrcnw black eye??, full of soft and gentle radietiot? 
— her rich jet hair fastened in a well-formed knot crowning her head, 
surmounted by ;i crimson doner;—and her graceful little form, still free 
from fe ttering garment*, but possibly ornamented with silver bangles and 
Rtiklcta— a necklace of head*, ini, haply, n chain of silver encircling her 
hips—she forma the tyjie of a very considerable portion of the Hindoo 
children, who about this age and upward—until, indeed, lost sight of bv 
European eyea^ajc, generally speak in g ? exceedingly pleasing an d inte¬ 
resting, 

But, long era this, our little subject Uah owned a playmate luul a brother; 
on whom—superior creature that he b—the bestowal of his mmn? J \vi\* 
as i event attended with infinitely more concern and respect than was per¬ 
mitted to honour his little sister on that occasion, I nlike bur, be waited 
till hi ft nhth month, when a variety of ceremonies were performed, and 
oblations offered to tin? manes of his ancestor*, tinder the pn ri deucy 

of the family prints — And here you see, whattsvw may tssi*t hi theory _ - 

is an instance in pmclitt, of that imidi oil* distinction which it is iropoedhle 
to deny lues ever been exhibited m Hindoo estimation of the ac-vo*. 

Let na, however p now view the juvenile? a? brother and inter—as Ion and 
daughter p and a? developing the germ* of the future man and woman, 
Tim? beginning, we shall find, l believe, little to distingmsb them either 
morally or isttvllcclutdly, from the children of their conquerors. We shall 
mst p indeed, except in isolated instance*, find the broad, deep, Saxon head, 
iriib aiiggcstcil captibiliikw nf subtle and profound Ktady, and fruitful - 
ncF-s in the Western wonder* nf art, science, and literature s hut 1 think we 
tmy trace indication of qualities which have often n greater influence over 
the general conduct amt happim of a people than even the boldest flight? 
nf genius. 

Luok at our little maiden. Fresh, a* it were, from the band nf her Maker, 
doe* *be not exhibit in even- expression of her face, mi movement of 
hand and limb* wdicntiuxia nf those feud nine graces which we associate 
with gentleness and goodness of frwJ a* their great fountain P— and if "out 
of the heart'* proceed so many evils, is it no* also, when good and pure, 
the source of im-Jih-uInWc good ?—Look, too, fit her little brother; we 
- hull find in him a targe share of his riatcris gentlcHCA* and timidity. We 
shall not make a hern of him, certainly ; climate and the degenerate emaS"*- 

























HIKTEHm CHlL&ttK— UilT 1JIA»M\ 0 . 


lfi] 


culfiting hututo of hi* forefathers, hare trough* gainst that,—against all 
™ w ^h P»™ P t to the Temple of tlie Moses, or the path, 

of dory- It may require tlic up-hill labour and adeni discipline or many 
generations, im rscd by pood and intellectual mothott.-tni^l by physically 

at once loved, u „rl them**™, oua t ,n' 

fpum <P 1Dnul “* Idolatry, and Muprotidnn.^fai* the demies of 
hEnM ™ <f intellectual greatness germinate in the Hindoo. Tet even 
uuiv, we hud Imn, in childhood, apprehensive, intelllgant, leachahlu!—smrl 

*° lf frD ™ ** B * Ul B m twaitenm, that it is too frequently riisulaywl with 
ilmigeroLtn prctvieitr. r ' 

Suth, we will suppose, is Nature'* material. Let us now «* what man 
ilw« with rtf— bow he " improve uadi shining hour” of there little ones 
raurtemse—how t rather, in short, he undoes God's work, and mars His pur- 

pOri (jli 

Vf—terday was a festival. The brother and sister were dressed lor the 
occreion* cither m all the rlirete Heatups of white muslin, or tW paim of 
funk blue, trill lined vitli gold or alter edging, Tin- graceful iv'urr: of 

the tmle maiden, half-hiddce.. w M rendered, if p..^Me, more ^ractful 

by the simple but esqumtdy tasteful arrangement of n single garment that 
without -‘baud, or gusset, or seam,” fe-U from waist, shoulder*, nnd head hunt 
-or floated mil on the breeze in the most artistic of folds and curves 
They have been to the river-side, it may be—half-deafencd on the marl by 
that most outrageous tumult of sounds which the poor creatures are accu*’. 
toiMi.il to believe is Music. They perhaps, lute visited a kind of bazar, and 
returned home rejoicing in the ptwwssitu, of some painter! Wlu d tovs— 
hideous representation. of hideous divinities, or equally outrageous libels 
upon cut*, elcplmiit^ or ixynhn and upon three, and only inch a* these 
exquisite productions of the Fine Arts, is the twit 0 f the Tittle ones 
modelled lor ever after. Should we then he surprised or angrr that 
when grown up, end shewn a Eutupetm drawing. they turn it upside down 
or, at least, pnivr,kingly persist in viewing it di a po«o%- M though ernhw- 
i on ring to driver sonn- ‘ angle of incidence 3 which might agree with their 
m " 1 vcuectioiiM upon the msltrr? Well; the festival pud all its noisy excite* 
tnents are over; mid the children have possibly been led through the great 
city ol the Sahibs, (for I pm not confining our hut and its imitatm to any 
pruei*e locality). Has their mother directed their attention to the varied 
objects or citnaajty they have met with on their way—the building*— the 
shop*—the vehicles, or the great ships in the river?—Ah.»f poor ,uul, she 
is a* much a child us they. When she hrodf was never tiuured to regard, 
tow can e ic expected to import? \litk more timorous ste|M even 
than her children, she burnt- noiselessly along, amidst a group of others 
a* ttmid a» hemdf-her face haif-hidden-hardly dariug to turn her head, 
mul it accidentally catching the eye, or even a glimpse of the figure of a 
European darting forward a, thaugb he Were a satyr ora tiger. A« for 
























1$2 ft I'M AL LIFE IS BENGAL. 


ihr 5ilai|i^ arifl all ntlier matters of Wi^lrrn \ui\u i\ skill. curiosity, or novelly, 
hhe looks furtively at thinu. with uu mprutssion of sQiur thing like si Inn t awe j 
rovers her mouth with part of her garment, &nd seems to mv with the 
pmuiher— IJ thr*r thing* mv too wonderful ibr me." 

But tilt? littk lolk on' nt home again. They have gained nothing hv their 
visit abroad but their frightful mud “fthrfonni/*—*at pedinpa, a paper rattle or 
windmill, such tm we hnvo seen in the street* of London. No other xu- 
fantik pfbuhtm have they on whiidi to exercise the enmoaitv, ingetnntf, or 
intelligence of their mind#, I he thfliuand and one channels through whsdi 
tile stream* of knowledge tlow to tlm European child from u wfauk world of 
hri^fn Intel licence— d( top, and plaything*, and pictures, and boohs, ami 
rdiiL'Etted parent* and friends, and elder brother* arid sisters—all artr sbiit 
to these little ones. Nearly alt In Cimmerian mental dark sirs* aruuitd them. 
Of emmse, in nil this, T mu keeping strictly to my little rustics,—or at the 
moNt, relerrinjz to the children of the middle closers, omoii^r whom, indeed 
" ProgrtM^ hun only planted an e&reprionid footstep here and there. I am 
speaking of the mill inn. 



■ IMirNi fttUdiB. 


And now tin- returned little otic* arc at play. The paper rattle djh] 
windmill* are already deni alia Led. TLfi mud toys Lave lost, if out the bri). 
iimicy, at least the novelty of their colours—ami the child must be Wbaroun 
indeed that can find rest or pleasure for its eye in any other quality of those 
caricature*. So the dust, or the mud, ur broken bits of water vessels 0 r 
a few cowreea or dulls, are employed for the emotion of Lou its ami uimlens. 



















h ] ^ jo i ii r, luu on d—t ilii s e ng —m yt*aa lc y. 


im 


llu^ arr quiet, perils ] may say grave children. The jnvnu, bilariiv of 
vi-e l.ftd nml vigorous Kurepam juredlre of similar ^ i, wanting. p w . 
Btljly, however, they haw a trifling quarrel. Maiter Br.numiUee may hate 

limken down Miss Nnshtomohee 1 * rfasK-t i e ; .md Mis* K-_hovin- it 

may be, revenged hr«*df by a tug at bin Into, holt* into the lint for pret«- 
tiou agumst the courequciu*,. Thin ia not frequent,—but when ba,™*,- 
docs & fund and anxious mother remind them that « Little children's bands 
were never made each otl.ore’ eye. to tear!" p <KSS sJlc ^ to frmtl 

r _ J ntts ’ or Bnrhaulij, about tic beauties of " Brotherly 

low and kind,,.™? "-of nfTccrimi, ffentiemss, forl.ean.nce, h.mmivitv?- 
Ahme all perhaps, does she, ill likening to their revere! statements of 
quarrel,—dwell earnestly, or for one nunnient, on that one groat sprijur of 
uiord ootiduet—the great mot of oil principle—the root which she brtUlf 
well knows E* amongst the weakest b the minds of all her friends and 
neighbcn.ru, and kindred—the holiness of At**! *f,c rat.not- she 

known .Is want hot not it. holiness. Still further: dues she ever attempt to 
dinvt or stimulate her children's minds bv instructive or amusing stories — 
°y miggiatwe pictures of tf, e wonders and beauties of creation to the animal 
or vegetable kingdom—ur even with the humblest Ulnstrattora of < Goody 
Two-hho™, or ‘Jack and the Ufa.,stalk V Not she. poor woman ! The 
w.H- d of Art is a dead blank to herunless, indeed, it may point trj Tftlu ter 
scarlet frame,,,, which , 8 a splendid pre-Itop Indite or pre-Adamite picture of 
the tuormtain-bom, sunpiimuy, and bespangled Goddew ifaorw, whn gC 
superior c airns to the feminine gm«* arc here manifest, in the number of 
arisis no Jew than ten—with which she is provided to exercise mid display 
them. In ho of her eight Lands she holds those peculiarly feminine im¬ 
plement™ (Lve-n diwus-a tridenfc-j, dab—an nrroiv-and a shield. 
Kith one of the remainder die has seized by the hair of Iris head. n „ mi . 
boihed monster, over whom she is treading to triumph ; „„<] with the other 
d.e » p.erc,ng his W with a gory spear. Like Britannia, she hits a 
Lum, at her feet, who is helping her to victory over the gbut Mobhumor 

”°7 a ™ threatens him with further mb. 

ribrnf,—dl pohtdy and eomplimentorily intended, you might think, to show 
ho impossibility of res,.Urn* to the power of woman 1 On either side are 
her two charmmg sanre-Katik and (Jn««h. The former i* a handsome 
yellow yonug^gentleman- seated ou a peacock, with a Im.w in one hand! 

7 r r*• f wr - Tbk » ®* ctf*-** the ^ * w , {hm ,^ 

«, the other hand, the god of wisdom, is n fid punchy ptreonsgo with four 
um. and at. elephant » head, rented on a Lotus flower, mid to the I,** of 

?7 nttt1lra 'V 11 ™ ***,& motbiT was reconciled by the u.^umi,« 

O the creator Hrnm/t,,, that «tuuangat the worship of tdl the gods, that 
of (.rtinoh should for ever hear the preference,” 

Having, then, here studied some of the Lutie* of creation. There is at 
hand, in an equally chaste red franc, another charming design, wherein the 









































154 fetiuii Lin isr nm&QAiM 


rhildiuu can k j aro the irandns of Mud's tmivene nnd works* hy M-r-in»j at 
°Hoe that tile eurrEi,—which cirmiliur and tike the flower of the water- 
lily > nnd KMOj'OOOjOOO of miles in tnxcani/creiiee, having a mono tain in 
its cent re only GOO.lXH) miles iji hci^lit, Cii the sarnmit of which arc the 
havens of VbhnoOj—m mpported on the thousand heads of the atTpent-gixl 
AtLiiutoti : that the flcrpeut rests osi the hack of n TT—and the Tortowc 
fluals cm the surfnA of tlit> water! What snpjjorts this water U left to 
the irrni|nnation. Hitt how much deeper could either father or mother 
wt*h the children to go ui the knowledge of religious, ad.entifk\ mid 
geographical truth,* than this very natural and convenient arnuqjpmeot of 
things ? 

As for their quarrelling^ or contentions, IT the noise has at length 
inennvcuiF iired their mother, or eseited Arr tempts she may Imre mu 
out, and, with a slap upon the hack* and na angry tuj* at the amt, timwti the 
offender within, anil there left it to mump or to mope m it will. However 
romiiuit her love, 1 fenr we cannot «iy it ” knows h.n Jhli/ r nor lh— 

H f- '-r njrjptwiicJ Ljr tia*i cWarirl * mm1 hnalc* 

Tint bniRpiti iiitcqiuMii toa uftaii mnkmf* 

lint t vfning dost hits net in, mid papa ha.* omip linnn . No matter of that 
rank or profession—high or lira—cumon rustic, |, t , t,*, t Invi n to* children. 
Speaking of )ih general diameter it 1m* tofta remnrked—■■ FI in good qualities 
art 1 patient endurancc, suppleness, dexterity, ami quickness of spprdifiUBist, 
The licngak-e, while he luu= tunny nf the funks of any ward childhood, has, 
also, much of that ductility which in it» undoubted privily. He in not 
wantonly cruel, Ili* kindness toward* children, 1* they hi* awn or another 
man’s, is n most (tensing feature in his moral nature.” We will sav nothing 
of his judgment That is „U. He h m not brought the children n picture* 
l_w_>ok for the best of oil reasons—there on* none in his language, none in 
tmy language withiu his mean*; nor o substantial toy, hut In? Las brought 
them wme methi—oT sweetmeat*—cxqniri i,I } wrought out of flour, fried 
in «htmduce of grease, mill admirably adapted to destiny their health. 
IWihly. also, he is n quiet man, the 11 husband of one wife” »in| free, 
flic refare, from one of the greatest miseries of Hindoo existence—a home 
of broil and mmUwt. Dm, I mn sorry to say, the cur* of the little ones 
hate, if not at home, yet licit door, or around them, long ere this been 

ajisaiiet] by harsh, and obscene sounds, and the great charm of childhood_ 

it* virgin purity of ear, and league and thought, is only too likely, to he 
cillt'od? destroyed h 

-Hut see—our little maiden, now wvwt yearn old, is arrayed in her 

best, find prepared fur some interesting event. Well, you tllink—forgetting, 
it may be, nit J have already told you in one of ray former letters, that 
in one thing at least the Hindoos are a prudent people: that they arc 
not guilty uf that nmn at u ral forcing tied loading of rhildreu’s minds with 

























ELAHLV H 4 JtRlAQEH K 


255 


tiiwlcte pdiKHtiona] cramming nt a time when they only should be eicr- 
t ' H ,r linllja 611,1 HtHfflgtbening their constitutions ; —but now at n 
TT Friod, there is to be a beginning : -iw, doubt „hn » 

JIU 11 L- /a *W,- i IJ Hibwl, ill died I-—She i* going to be Mahhio, ! ! 

l -| r E *^ i ? P ° lu “ lo "t r looking about for an eligible hu«Wd for his 

ehild and it hr, happens that a neighbour ofoomcwkat better mean* has been 
in like | in rental anxiety respecting the rettlenumt of hi. son.—now nl Hi, 

i T f lline ] TLe ,M, - V «" «W W* never «n each 

Other—but thni is of no wnreqaenre!—the parent* perhaps Awee-ntul mme 
B o,U tween Hub awn the children 1 Tho re,,retire east*. of the families, of 
C,,Uree ' -niwlMaiw the 01M1U of the hoyWher permit or not, the 

^ 0tl 7 1 ' k ™ aJlr J 11 bwnJwOiu u liu, mi t of gift or purchase money, ami (t 
glorious feast I Ts the father to be rewurfud for nil this outlay, for which he 
haa prohahty plu^.t fanawlf in debt for the next two years, l,v its eontri- 
ratn* to any |M'nua.L C j,t object of benefit for hi. duW?—Xot „ whit. I 

bd,Cte t,K - n -' lln ' U[l " Permed by Mr. Ward M*rfj forty ,ai> 

ng.', and ttjombcd It, by Mr. SW ten year* afterward*, is « true of the 
people at tin, moment a. it w it » Uien. “The exptwca (sav* Mr. Ward, 
attend am uumamagn are a grievous burden on this people:’ the rich /«/ 
he burden but a poor rnnu is overwhelmed by it ; U devours in B Jew daw 

, I r “ l ”?, ' Qi ‘ V ™ rJ,; fur a I™ 1 m "*"' "I"** always borrows the 

whole of the eshmntod expense at an enurmou*interest, frequently at 3(3 per 
rant. The borrowing system Is universally acted upon be the lifodow, and 

X " «"***« ^ af “ £4. immoral! tv! 3 

To defray the debts incur rid nt the birth, marriage, and death of 
01 m grown-up child, it Hie father survive him, often requires the lalKUir of 
several year*. The chief Sflxiety of a Hindoo, therefore, is not to aemiire 

^11,^' *° ™ in«i™l 

. the ‘“ u 0f X eaha * Cll - !,,nl otMBpoatititm, Though several thousands 
ol rupees may have b«n expended upon it. not a vestige remains after 
niamagc by which tin: marnftl pair may lie mom wealthy or more happy ; 
the whole sum evaporate* in show, noise, and smoke, or is squandered aw*v 
in the entertainment of brahnuma and relations. 1 ■ 

1 ■hould here mention, however, that the arrangement 1 hare just 

t iCnbcd U(fl Ul ' BrL ‘^ O i-. ™ the contrary, subject to as many 
changes anti modifications a* there are "andra "-multiplied hr the variety 
o eircumstntieea in worldly nleans—to lie found amongst the people. If fiVr 
mrtanccs, we aaecnd amongst the Heaved*™ Brehmmm, wc find the vary 
opposite practux to ««t. Lmtead of the parent or the % paying for the 
wifi., the father of the y,r{, whore duty it fe to seek for his daughter a J,u,- 

liis eld d L f U ' r m UUt hwmfl0,lktL ' ^ iB Kk«l to W « dower with 
n. «luld to secure her #0 proud and blissful a union. Ton would hardly 

beheve^uur wonld it « outer into the heart of man to conceive/- the influ¬ 
ence winch the Bralummica] body cxemisra over the jxople—a body of men 


































nr UAL LIFIf- IX UEX'IJlL- 


15G 


who, it i* observed, "hare placed themselves above kings in honour, and laid 
the Whole nation prostrate at their feet" You certainly would not con¬ 
ceive the ciboinituitions which in spite of all modern theorising and glossing 
over, they still keep prariiailhj in existence, The Koolin, or higher caste 
ftrahmun, taking advantage of the immeasurable influence of liis position 
coveted honour of an alliance with liim, — nuy wander from kuusc tu 
house, or village to village—marry in every one of tliEin— receiving, it may 
he, a dowry to boot—and thus become the huslwiid nf five hundred poor 
girls, whom lie may never see again ! Need 1 dwell upon the devilishness 
of such a system—it system, indeed, which I have heard Home of Hie better 
minded even amongst themselves denounce as “ odious, Bui whether their 
original institutes justify or not—they have been at any rate hd to it, ft 
aditi. The door hfta tong been open, and by none has it lwen shut. The 
man who practises it is not booted or scouted. Ills windows arc not broken : 
be is not in the pillory j—be is not pelted with stole egg*, or deceased 
kittens. On the contrary—be is, honoured and reverenced. He is not 
Het down as libertine. aenmialist, or " guy deceiver. 1 He has professed 
no bachelorship, made nu false pretence*. The parents who have thus 
sacrificed their {tour children to sternal widowhood, knew perfectly well 
that their sotl-ia-tmr was the husband of probably a score mote ; but, then, 
to be the tw/e f/rt JToo/m Brahmm /—that in domestic comfort and reward 
enough 1 Whatever, theu, the condition of the Bralimuns, wlmt must he 
that of the million* thus influenced and enalurcd !* 

But T have wondered from the tnoxrige feast. The preliminaries re¬ 
ferred to, although, uh T 1 1 uve said, subject to multitudinous variation*, 
arc yet probably the most common. Amongst the class of which I uu 
now speaking, it is more usual Ibr the parent of the boy to giee, and 
that of the girl to recetre, than the reverse; and, generally speaking, no 
matter what the circumstanoes of the father may he,—jury Tie must, and 
pay he mil, in all tikdiliood, very much more than he can utfurd. So 
that as I have already told yon—he is from that hour plunged in an 
amount of debt, from which it may take him years, or his whole life, to 
extricate him. 

In oaj present supposed or selectcJ instance —poor KeiHlitomonfie’s fate 
in sealed—she ti fmUL But the little lady know* untiring about that- There 
bo» hcni a feast to the Brabimm anil friends during the past tw o days at 
her father 1 * house, and to-morrow there will he another at the bouse of 
her father-in-law; for to-day the bridegroom visits her dwelling, and fur 

* NotwLiliPitMiijLUi ilic atHfEteiacJuLodn nmniKr Hi *b|rh thr junior mtv jituTiiiorl with huiUnJi wnd 
wliidi ii might be nqtptMcd nutaEJ utniile nil iliJEpu3ti«, ami ictnr* tu tfvrj delb a partner, n C*Hp 

(obacrr^i Mt, pr€HDl5 PTKb TOtiflW DbflBu-]M la IJbimi, Hill tfbUti ■rt *p- WmhJ gttuklitHSI lit rtllit 

hf 'HlJE.lt marripjf*! itfe rejmlhUsi, [lwt C0*« «J*I in fchbcli tlieta niJimri iJiLjeu nltc*. Imkt Wuiutli h\i*- 
SI ill, to jprat i djnprnrr, in t'lieir mi n th, id inrrmTd bj irmaiTiiiif DJiTDarrU-d, ihiti on oh* cMTAadon 
a nnmbrr rtf *M illuhLt wf.ro mnmH In mi n^rJ kfioLha Utuh mini -ij &,.t ^itnuU trrtw tarry .w-w ta tfo 

i-yarr^j-t M aUodKj 51* further l 


























HAUL V 


the first time bis future wife. To morrow the will acmmjwtfiy liiio 

(Kane iu bis Mixer's* and there remain on u visit for two days, and then 
return to her mother's- Friends also of tlie young gentleman's father have 
presented the mLnmtirre bride with fine clothes* and, it may be, some tribe* 
of jewellery p —and b not all thk enough to mate her ah ir happy mb the iky 
ia long? 4 " Poor child* she had need to be so* during these bridal days; 
her time of freedom and of joy may be brief enough, 

1 *haU eh jt \kvsk ry you with tedious dereriptionK of the ceremonies at¬ 
tendant upon a Hindoo marriage, whiob, indeed, to be truthful of nil, wodd 
demand a ringing of endless cluing* > npcm endless ** castes- and rouibiiLft- 
tiuna and eirciunfftnnM. from which you would hardly escape in It** thin 
two volumes octavo! We shall lie intent witit knowing and Baring that 
the ceremony is over. 

In addition to her finery, we observe upon the forehead of the bride, just 
at the parting of the hair, a spot of bright Vermillion. Thii is the irre¬ 
vocable mark of nmtrimmusil union, and child though she be, she is not 
now u mere betrothed, as the popular and very natural impMawou among 
European* generally is, but in very truth ri wife —Biad were the boy to whom 
she has this day been united to die tu-murrow she would* as imvorahly, be 
a triflow! But, let ns not anticipate, To-morrow she will CoCCTOpany him 
in bis father's honec, on n brief visit to the family, at id there, fur the present, 
m wrill leave her. 

Let us now return to her Little brother. He has lost, for a while, bis 
customary playmate and companion ; but bis nature, somehow, does nol 
seem much troubled by that. I have beard h native gentleman admit and 
re mark upon the indifference—the want of attachment on the par! oi Hindoo 
lads to I heir sisters,—and can we wonder? In their minds, have those feel¬ 
ings of tenderness and respect, and romantic regard for their sister** res 
generally p which eommonly mark the European hoy at *□ early an age as to 
seem part of his nature* ever boon sown, nourished* or called forth ? ’VI ill 
Master Hanomidee ever show himself the 

#l ViJ]nEF H*at| Agi 1 Ltuil nith. itUm Lta** breaU, 

Tbi; tilLlc ItHthi! (if lii* ficlli wLilwi«Hl I" 

Will he tnek up his sleeves* and double his tisl*, against tiie tyrant Gun* 
gftrimu for wantonly breaking hi* sister's cart* or being rod* to her young 
Mend Ms** Kilminw?—1 urn aim id not I—I mi nfrwd it would he very 
unreasonable to expect it. Who ever tKOght him that it was disgraceful 
Ofiwctnliec In hurt a girl,—cowardice which would bring down upon him the 
hooting* of Ms companiciaa ?—Whoever instilled into his rnlnd the gencron* 
spirit which, even from their tendereat years, the nobler nurtured lads oi 
CbriftljiD Europe imbibe from a thousand and a thousand teachings* trainings, 
ttiggcstiunSj and eramplea ;—-inhaling it its uncouscioosly the Mr they 
breathe ?—Hto one- little Hindoo ever, in imagination r Main list cruel giant 

























138 


nna.iL Liri! is uenual. 


who krill m captivity the beautiful Prince**; or blown the horn Umt shook 
the c-fustlp walls, au4 released the seven encknnted lttdim i' I pfatly fear Umt 
the Inn lines with whom the only picture hi is fusmtutf with, have nmdv 
him best acquainted, will be either that delicate ten-armed gmhl^N *ho in 
takin- eare of herself by poking a spear into the smon fedant at her foot; or 
the Wlv irt-hlark, or deep blue, tally .WM-Wkr, with four ma, and lmr 
tongue hanging out, reeking with the Wood of tic giants she lia* dam— 
whose peculiar!v feminine nature, iil», is tijbjeA by the rapumte iwAkt 
of human skulls tlmt Imngi from her shimldcjw to her knees—who stands tm 
the huly of her kniband, Shiv, and holds hi the tender fingers of one baud 
a Bchnitnr—and in those of another, a decapitated head whilst, a ith the re¬ 
mainin'; two she is very ranaiatcutly **forbidding fears" and " l>estowing a 
Mewng/** 

it is ul) very well to thiil thi ^i art- merely tymMktd of tiu* or of 
t\iat mythic KOuicthing or nothing of which Eemoinidtiti, wlieo lie up 

to manhood, may ju?j«Aiy have (H»mc mystified idea ;—but in ibt? meAHtimo, 
to all intents and purpCfies f ** these to hid GkuW't Ridiculuu* an r-ome 
of the aid and touch abused store* mid fairy tale# for English children 
may have Ik™, i believe that there were none which did not iu «jmo ibnpc 
tend lo the exaltation of cMvalrm or other gcntrou# virtue Up eihiMt ike 
final reward of the good, and punishment of the had. Nor was there any 
dinger of the child miitakrog **tery fiction 13 for “truth severe.” A< the 
pout Cowpcr aaya t— 

11 1 Cult nit ut Ji:an Jutf-qiw# fLnuufou, 

| | birilo rntifuliliilti GT m> i 

Ti* clt*f P iHul dwy uit aimj-g *hfo 
Tq fadil digcwTirK 1 , if but in ftblf; 

Amt fi H u tiic eliilii T»lwi kw?** fit* bettsr 
Tilnn In inli-rjiEet. by 1 he lflflT 4 
A itory at q nfprlt mil bnil, 

Mml biv* q muit norcmuaitii ituU. H 

Whether in the instance of allegory, paraldOj fable or *tory p l never met 

* TMi f4Wkh i# ^hi in be m]j qjiolhci fnrni of fWtafr.- dt ItemFtotfiia* ikin. i-H* Gian! 
RuitiKi rffj-O' j. iJbf m nu ottttjojfiI bA ibc Tieiciy tlui( slra daDn«l till the luih *fowV I* tti fucniihtimi,. 
wtHTrapon fatr fambind BiuT F a I he iniereMHem of the £tklfi T tint n« III* <mly uwiui of pomuiliiig facr lo 
rtciidl—tlllfsP bEDLMJf unuapt tbf ile gd brjilita of lb* iLftip—t beD tbit iimnlv AoJuty Udl 1 1 -rite leHiUlilid 
yiilnrr: IkJiirh iliitkO^tiLili tbji ginLiLr»k lrryT m ffaockml by bfiF&fill ihmci HET H]irjn faer llU*t*Jld r UlUI 

witb inrtinBn Mail *1 iunt, ifc^ pal &ilI Iict Imu^Bj ui besinu qniffl,—nnJ in tkii vfry mkrt*tiii^ wty nh$ 

b rtjimrpihL In 41 ibe EnijHi torn naidp ia Ikn^Al 

+ fly rrfsftn,i*o VJf, W , 4rd l i wwk. bownpir, wb find it dg-Ufed, tint fid mwJl liWraLHy r£ pcaMriie- 
iLfiu Li ucultilqil or | iiTnul tsd tlo nyi:—■“ Tbe iTLtabnP u uia^bt, Ibtt tliB leob^ it n*ftj OdJ p *rn3 tfan 
btirUtl jodfpnfltli m ilufta«!i«ai hint, Ith* i!rj? in paFpqrt <h*t Lfe* in is n'>lhitt| mtifs tiuw 

Ibr rbincuu uf "biri il u cum^iwit. Flu Tfintru-uru ilbcinKfl,. tint inch an n-ilM>Surcr mil tint nm 
Ihr re^MM ot tur.urnl. llktbe Ijiptcllf liil-iuu ,.r di£ ptuple LL1 srbl'TfiJ, thiTtRire. i fat kddi »hl Ttsd dffitif*: 
tfafiy »• -ii py ibc fit** irf abil r™« ill ibc lHinu^t, til lilt friF, ill -In Krrkt r uki 41 tlu hunuiin 
ulijri! lie k<i jiaat]i 

















iimx'ENcr lit ni-Mid 11 irmioioor os ciiildhikn'* I-*® 


with mi English child wlio.—if hi doubt, would not ask—" But i* it true. 

Mam*?"_or whn» mind would not bo as dear as that of ii* instructor 

„pm tfe unmeet, when told in reply—“ No, it is only a ston" He has 
seen his Creator and Saviour symbuliKed under the forms of a Dove and a 
Lamb ; but tin- lovcnbl. nature of three gentle creature* lie knows us well 
os Ills parent, and very noon comprehend* their allusive application. He 
never raw hi* God, nr his Clod's attribute*. pictured a* a being with sis or 
eight heads—or as a monkey—nr a* a four-armed woman, drunls with the 
Mood of those she has slain—or ns n red man with an elephant's head, nnd 
four arms, apparently playing the acrobat, or wujuror will. balls, spears, 
and hnttle-asc* I Now the contrasted mil is, that, of all the mythic nmn- 
slmsitire piotorially set before the Ufa Hindoo boy, or of the mmustrou* 
legends ami fable* attached to them, he doe* not in a angle instance llmik 
of tusking—' la it true. Mom a?’ Were wash a question even in the nature 
of things, or mooted accidentally, in rnmc rare instances, Lis poor mother 
is probably putt ns wise as he, and could no more separate fable from fact 
■ban "draw out leviathan with a book." And thus the Hindoo mind 
i» reared in that grossly ignorant credulity whirls devours everything, 
and doubts nothing, and is, indeed, one of the strong character!,lira of all 

the uneducated millions of India.* ... 

To return to lkmcuuftlee and bis sister, I can find but little in the 
atmosphere ihty breathe to encourage those tender feelings of reciprocal 
attachment which every circumstance and association ill Christian life went* 
edendkted to foster and Lnerea.sc. Tim want, 1 maintain, will not be found 
on woman's side. The alfbednns of the heart, and their cultivation, are JHTU- 
iiarly her gifts and province: and consistently with thin, though it be only 
in a rrrmwmj, we find that, in a certain month m the year, Hindoo sisters 
follow the example of the sister of the fabled King of Death, wIid gave a 
h ast to her brother, and marking Ins forehead with sandal powder, made trim 
immortal- So, on the anniversary morning of this l east, Hindoo aistcre 
« ponr milk into the hand uf each brother, and repeat an incantation while 
the brother drinks it. E*eh filter, alro, puts On the head of «<ch brother a 
praiu of rice, and ruin* on the forehead of each some powder of sandal wood. 
As soon os this is performed, ihe brother hows to uti older siater; but if 
the brother is elder, the sister bow- to him, and takes up, stroking them 
with her open hand, the dust of hi? feet.' T t Very gracious, very sisterly, 
and very Eastern, all tliis, no doubt; and, on the girl*’ |iart, l believe, 
very smeeredy and affectionately discharged, But we find no return in kiwi 
from the brother to the sister 1—Not even Hindoo fable appears to have 
reached so great an elevation of fraternal courtesy- 

* HU like HiB 4 nai. r ' 

| 1859 . Thu** who Utfifimira friifcM ImriaK tfce 7m 1 BS 7 —^ WF*' 
iukiiLidi kjw*iiif Ikk. TJunut iu hd rapoitnma —uo rtdlmlwit Satrtitk*—*4 uh^ilumi &[*■' 
mWl tiosu tilber tirts ehlhlMi « l«w witnipnss to hr n*rod, •wtent. iatmMk* 
«ni ni:.( lbs p«|.1r. Kb mpr hatt ut it* put nr rf **. ™ mtter* im npd Uw «« *■“* 




























lU'tAi. UFR IK HEKOAL, 


Well, then, BonomMiHi, us 1 hacr said, has lost his sister and companion j 
hot tiers are plenty in the streets, or in the villugc—and ho*, in all jjndia^ 
hOitT liis dm award moral couiac begins. Ls he ever cautfcued not to play 
with certain naughty hoy*, who will teach him to /«•—t» client—and even 
to itfni? must it not, on the contrary, be admitted that the aunt of truth* 
fulness amongst, at leant, the lower orders of India, is a curse from w iirh 
they tlietncdves are perpetually suffering. ■»<* vet. marvellous tn say, 1* about 
the" lust against which they accm ever to esclium, or to fortify the nuwla ot 
their children. There is a listless apathy in their mind*, the inevitable 
consequence of a false and vicious creed or fatalism, a creed necessarily 
inculcating that resistance or precaution, against either moral or physical 
evil, are alike useless. “ What must he, must be:" and their philosophy 
is the very counterpart of Tennyson a " Lotus-Litters, 

”1*1. iLi nlfliiiiL Timr ttnth fciiwffrf f**£; 

And la ft lirtia wtilr ow lip* *** 

1*1 i« throe: Vtkrt ii Umi H.1] 

AVbal ]ilr*iuTr m wu hilt Ea ^ With flfil? 
lul l|i iLpm" 

In u kbomu* qimI well kflDtru worli bjf Mi. \\*r& M (unu ni the talented 
Missionary trio I Itave before mentioned}, “A Vka of the Hindoo*,’’ we find 
several specimens of their coiirerBKtkiiis*— tint* of which, describing ■> do¬ 
mestic quarrel, strikes me on in the highest degree characteristic. It 
exhibit* that Oriental dequeue? of volubility, which peculiarly murks the 
people of Bengal, and is so illustrative of their incum-i*.tent jumble of "wise 
saws" and mor;d reflect*™*, with praetieul nonsense, their neglect of the 

- maoest duties towards their children, whilst complaining bitterly of the 

consequence of that ucgleeL— the evil conduct which they make not the 
slightest effort to correct or to prevent—that I iuh tempted to quote a 
few passages. The husband, you are to suppose, has returned home, ami 
finding bis meals uuprepared, remarks, in no pleasant rancid, that the 
conking i» not vet even began"—when thus the wife: 

"What unnecessary business have 1 been doing? 1 had first to put the 
house straight; then to give the children some cold rice; and then to prepare 
the twelve o’clock luncheon for your servants and visitors. V\ (ml can 1 do 
■done ? I have but two hands; I have not four hands.” 

The llmbatHl,— ,f You are unable to decide betwixt right ami wrong; that 

w ,,t BHwtiEniH of lb. Hss Ih* wiiiknnu sw** «f tl.it taut k*mi«n tail H idrtaih« M.ri™iioD- 
ik. " fttand tatiridge." —mmuiMitdin; iUelf kilt* to Hkfei »d M nln i fflmwho uilk ^nsl fa*—W* 

til lull ftliii 1 a 

*ri .llsslmhnn »f this ilnrt mJditj ««.rml k ( ilralk leap before lire n'ldUoo SW nmekr run. 
wi|1 wJiJqKKd la miss “fooiOli nr," ihit the Duelnti «t tki M«linl <«Ucg* reijiKroi. sad were I n I* 
|j f j rroip uDunpit ill* ®r jK,nr—wik humsB itfrdir*. frf Ibt 1'iirf"' Aon? <t' , ' rn 

Sir pfceaocd or ntk<r tarhouiu nu t Wuiik s por ronlic lie bum) to (Wn • « ftutoie dem to 

thit e.'l|-|r for mml dnj. «fler<rsid* ?—Sat and 
































A POMKSne TH1QIL. 


1151 


is which thing should he done tirrt, and which Inst. My business depend* 
,m others ; 1 must Ik guided by their leisure. If i delay, of course I sHall 
not obtain my mouev; but tlmt is not nil, 1 shall he *pmacUcd. But you 
arc a woman f you know nothing of them things : you remain in the bouse, 
cut, and »ii at your case; the washerman stands to no losses, they fall Oil the 
owner; he who suffers, alum: understands the los*i—other*, what do they 
know 1 When money is wanted, I out find it. He who has them burthens 
ran understand their weight; hut it is of no use revealing them to you. 
Prepare the food. 

The Wifr- _ fi Yon scald jue without ouii^fr; you have killed ten Uj unwind 

with a word: hut real work is not so easy. Have 1 any leisure? These 
thoughtless children are very wicked j they mind nobody: the other day the 
youngest fed into the river, and after sinking several times, wa» saved by the 
favour of the gods. A short time ago, a snake bit another: aud they quarrel 
nnd Ught daily with oilier children. To follow all day such mischievous chil¬ 
dren, is to keep a herd nf swine, or to lead dog* in a string. Ucride* me, * ho 
i* there to look alter them? If l leave them a tiny, they are like forlorn 
wretches left to perish in the open field. If any one else had this to do for 
a single day, he would throw away hi* garment and run away. If you have 
eyes,"you cannot sec my cares; and after working one's self to death, there 
will Ik no praise. Like a slave, 1 work and eat. 

The Husband, —" 1 ask for my fond early, that 1 might g» and bring 
home some money—instead of meeting my wish*.*, you have raised a tern peat. 
You resemble those who, instead of doing others good, expect a reward for 
injuring them. The only fruit of all this noise, that I can see, i*. the day is 
gone. Will this uproar till our bellies, or bring in supplies? Therefore,— 
make Imste with tlie food. 

The infv—{vtnj angry}- "If there should he neither money nor food, 
whjit do I lose? These children are your*; this buasmsa is your*: what ntn 
I? Among whom am 1 reckoned? I must work—and be reproached: this 
Ik my lot; ami as they sometime* ask a man, 1 I\ hn arc you ? 1 nun the 

master of the house t Why are yuu erring ? I hove been eating bran \* In 
this world, the only food is, hard labour and reproach. I cannot, nor will l, 
riLlirr work or eat. Cannot l procure a r*4! to cover me, and a little fond ? 
Qod lias given life and food too. 1 must pas* alone through nil that arises 
out of the actions of former traiiBiiiigration*, W lio feeds the uiihaiehcd 
young? Who support* the worm ill the centre of the wood? Filth finds a 
place ; a hall there b uo place for me mi the earth ? 

Hftsfytxnii *— Jf Why ftkj these ccmipUinta ? Attend to the kappiue*# uf 
your fmuily. 

You fire a man; what is it to you? You will eat and wtm 
other*; you will collect something, and throw it into the bouMj whether it 
meets our waafei or not, you know no thing . 1 am obliged, by a llionwujtl 
eontrivaoce^p here a little mid there a little* to feed ymir faiftily: your ehii- 























m 


jtritAI. LITE IN flEVGAL, 


ilrt-u on unmanageable; they wander fclxmt like mcndiamt* who liftvt: no 
ionjE- like a guest, they come to meals, ami thru waiuler abninrl, Many 
Lands maki- work MSW! each ti-avcUcf can cany liia own staff, but if one 
rmn turn to carry the staves of many, they become a load. 

Ihuband,—" You an; a woman; you go tinted, though you wenr a gar- . 
input ten culiit* long ; you have no understanding; these are the children ‘of 
the Kalrr Yoog. M'licit can be done? Tlic^o children's fault* ore the open¬ 
ing fruits of your mils in a former birth: they are making you pay the debt* 
von then contracted. Ian know nothing; your own bully i* not yours; you 
must cast it off; bow then alumM the children cleave to you? Seel your 
ow n teeth bite your tongue, mid then you complain. 

m/f (saw the Mather taut the Woman}.— u Let tlic children be 

good nr had, there is no merit in costing them off; a deranged person, if he 
belongs to our own family, we keep near us ; while we drive away such a 
person, if be belongs to another person i our hodh*, when they become a real 
burden, we do not acknowledge to bo liurtbmratnu: if our own child is 
even blind or liimc, we loi r e it more than the moat beaut it uJ child of 
another. 

You are comet—hut it is very difficult to change the evil 
<lih]N untious of children i a dry stick may Tie broken, but not ben* ; ii a stick 
is l*enfc at fill, it must lie when it la prrciTi; and indeed you have ruined the 
younger hoy, by making h nn do the work id women; liu In fit. once stupid 
and unermtralkbk^ rushing forward like the buffalo ; he makes a play-ball 
even of the nbalgramu; he would rain any one ; he is Capable of anything* 
tint other day he quarrelled with UhJinyn-<^hiinmu; he l* always in evLI 
company, ftntaktng rnt mipating dru^H, drinking r nod gaming e— in tln> way, 
by degrees, he will became a thief, and I shaJ3 i>e eiwt into prison elk hii pto* 
teeior. Feciple pray for sons, in the hope that they will servo and uhey 
them; at denili f curry them to the side of the Ganges; sunk after death* 
present (he offerings far the repose of the soul ut Guy a: this hay" I he speaks 
foomenlly] ** will do fill thi* for me;—hut, at any mte, through his wickedness, 

I am securing the duly otFeriji"5 (of abuse) from my iieighbcuirs* who not 
only enr*t him, hut nil hh amwtorpi, Wlio shall describe his qualities f they 
would occupy the limits of the MuMbharutu, lie is to me the imigO of 
death ■ hi* death would Ik- a blessing; then the family would be preserved 
from further dishonour. As for the elder bay, he will keep up the honour of 
the family; at any rate he has obtained sorm 1 learnings; he has acquired the 
gfuumuu^ and a degree of knowledge; In- promise* well; weighs matters 
before he derides ; and can by hold of anything new that in brought before 
him with great facility*" 

1- it not Lamentable tlmt hr who so well out “ moratbte thin spmruiie”—- 
c^ui reflect an sensibly npoii dried itieks and green twi^fr—-should be so little 
capable of profiting by his philosophy t 1 But you ter, hi* eldest mm, at any 
rate, will keep up ir the honour of the family , J| He Tins obtained sal tie 



















VMiVL SCtiOMl, UmOKS. 


m 


learning, wml Las " acquired the grammar"—lie weighs matters and » quick 
of perception. So, probably, our little IkmoJnMee’pi papa may be teaching 
tiiiu Ilia letters and Ids figure**—or lit- inay at once wild him tu sdutfil- 
Yea, hr may 1* taught, whilst hi* poor, anil possibly far cleverer adder 
may "burnt in igwonoe” Bui of her anon. HwWlcegm* to»cboal. 
not, be it understand, to any of the g«*t Missionary or other Enmpenu 
establishments, but to the village school, where pedagogue anil fane pre- 
mtvl- all tlurir ancient terrors. Here, however, Bonoioilw situ himself 
dmiri upon the ground, and first with clmJh, null then with palm-leal 
and pen, and aftLTWMrd* ou plantain leaf, tell* away nt his letters and 
bis figures, These and other introductory matters mastered, he joins in 
monotonous chorus with his fellows, out in wading from a book, but iu 
repealing various wntencw—at find of a simple or elementary character, 
but afterwards extended ext rods from a variety of liookn, which arc com* 
monly in use amongst the schools* "Thr Pleating ItistTvetor,” or « Santtforit 
m,d Merton** perhaps, yon think, in orient guise—nr the sage relleelmn* 
of “ Atovroth, Sultan of the Etut—the Judge of Nation*, the Dudpk t,f 
Adtvrsity ! No, but as wo learn, the 11 (rttmja litiuduna, winch deserds's 
the virtues of the River Goddess ! Or the " Surtuvati BmHhna/' or 
"Salutation of the Goddess of Learning," which is committed tu memory 
br frequent repetition, and is daily recited by the scholars in a body More 
they leave school, all kneeling with their heads bent to the ground, and 
following a .lender or monitor in the pronunciation of tile smuusaivt; lim^ 
or .‘oupletu; or of the “ Gooroo Jfcmfcmr,” a doggrel composition, contain¬ 
ing an expression of the reject and devotion due from the scholar to 
hC teacher; or of the «Gooroo Dnikluoaf* another doggrel compodr 
lion, which in glowing terms describes the fee or reward which Krishna 
and bi» hrotImr Bolnram gave to their teacher, after having finished 
their education, and which is constantly sung by the elder Imys of a 
school from house to house, to elicit donations for their muster ; nr 
lastly the "Data Korna" illustrating the beneficence and hospitality 
of Koran, the Prime Minister of Durjudhaii, urn! the llatim Til of 
India** 

With midh a Hyot™ of tondiiup anil *m?h lwh»k^ &u.t:l] garbage tor 
mvnUi\ fond — wr rtm quilc undmtand the remark* madu % Mr. Atkin- 
in his report on cdncatioo i^veral yew* *gGp in which he save ^ 

«It may hv mtdj affirmed that ill no iiLHlnMcc whatever » the orilm- 

gnuply of the laxig mqnf; of the CCnllitiy Btfjliwd IU thi>«; pschfiokji for ahllOLLplj 

i]i mm$ of them cun or three of the ttitsn? advanced boy# write out srimll 
panioUR of the mmt itopulor poetical compasitianM the country, yet the 
manuscript copy itself in ip> iimceunitc iliflt they only become gonfinni'd In a 
niChHt vitiated manner of iipdling., which the imperfect qualifications of the 
tcadicr do not enable him to eoirecL The ^hdkam are entirdj without 

* CtdcrtU R rti6v< IT. 
























JU RAL LI I B IN BENGAL. 


164- 


mgtmntinn either literary or oral, regarding the jwrsonul virtues, anil 
domestic itnd social duties The teacher, in Tiirtnfi of hi* diameter* or hi 
the-way of advice or reproof excrcties no □m-nd influence on the character ol 1 
Ids pupils. Tor the bmUsl 1 of pay, he perform* a menial acrvke in the spirit 
of u oifcainir On the other hand there is no tirvi or siihool-book tiaed cun- 
tuning any mund truth* or liberal knowledge; m that* eflncatfou being 
limited entirely to accounts, tends rather to immiw the miml, and cunMne 
it* attention to sordid gam, than to improve the heart and enlarge the 
undemanding. Thiri description, applies, i* far a* 1 at present know, to all 
indigenous elementary schools throughout Bengal.” 

But this is not the worst, nor the whole. The most popular hook in 
their schools, is said to be fi Cbatmks Slokes/* or Precepts, some of which 
1 hare scon quoted* and must say* that they contain such reflection* upon 
various matters and things, upon the value of a wife—upon the meritorious 
actions of n man in his former existence —and upon a variety of biddings 
ulcI creature comforts in our present stale, which arc of a nature that 
absolutely forbid- my rejwatiwf them to tjf*u * Mell may it be aaksfl, "What 
must be the ctfects of such u stakes'' etunmitted to memory in 50,000 village 
school* ! !"* And a* if Ibis were Hot enough lo evidence the miserable nature 
of education, hitherto, at [east, nfibrded to a rural population estimated at 
40,000*000 j wc I lave the assurance of Ur. Duff, that— 

“ If the scheme of teaching he throughout one nf diill 3 dry, plodding, 
monotonous mechanism—acting uu head anil heart with nil the force of a 
congealing effiem-y—the scheme of discipline may b<i truly characterised re* 
tbrsrogkrat a rtign of terror. Kindness, patience, generosity, love—all arc 
alike unknown here. Fear is the first and last and only motive brought into 
play; punishment, the first, am] \mi and only stiinnl out .'**f T his is followed 
by a detail of the numerous descriptions of cruel uud injurious punishment* 
which arc resorted to—and reflections upon their mischievous consequences, 
in rendering the schiw.il an object of terror anil disgust., *o that a foolish 
□]utheris most awe-inspiring threat to a misbehaving child is ^ call the 
Goorm Mtthtistuit to take him to shool"—a dread that lead* to habits of 
cunning to escape its terrors, and of servility toward* the master—to the 
rendering of many menial and even dishonest services to propitiate that 
dreaded tyrant; and oti the other baud to a retaliating spirit of hatred 
and revenge again** him. 

Referring to the present state of ignorant and debaoemout of the mass 
of the people, the Lieutenant (iovrmoFj Mr. Hulliday, in his Minute on 
tEie Police and criminal justice of Bengal, observe *—** Above all things that 
can he done by us for thin people is their gradual intellectual and moral 
adt aneement through the slow but certain means of a widely spreading 


Tretrti no ihfi lluri] PupnJuiion oJ JtcuuuJ tod, Itali^r 
t Cnlriiita heruiH, MMY. 






















JiTCESSm FAR llUPlOTeO LITERATI'HR- 


urn 


popular HVEitcm of vcuDcultr fducutioii-” Let but this Ire done, let tlicte lx 
n spread of Books iu the language of the laud—not of dnggrol pnetry in 
honour of the river Guddcaa, or of Krising and Bolanml, hut of that better 
poet iy I for be it understood these people hare a love of poetry) or prose 
which a bill teach sound sense, practiced momlity, domestic virtue, social 
improvement, and useful hunrlodgo. 

All honour to the noble Tuetitiit.es of the Free Kirk—the Gene ml As¬ 
sembly—and HIlowani|«>rc, which are imparting the English language, and 
the light of European knowledge, and of Christian doctrine ami practice, to 
thousand) of youth of the middle cIbnh*— of all eUsses, indeed, belonging to 
the city, wlm flock in hundreds to their walls, dispute the open rending of 
our Scriptures, and the de-emssioti of their iWtrins. Tint let the stream also, 
like the generous rivers of the soil, spread about the land, and permeate all 
ranks, even the poorest—in the distant towns and remotest rill ages. « Milk 
for babes,’ 1 Let ns then “begin with the beginning." 1 should have more 
friili in a system which Itfgaa with (In- tunc-hm mured simplicity of "A was 
an Apple, and ti wh* a Hoy," when both apples and hoys were depicted In 
the little roll line, glowing in nil the brilliancy of the rainbow, than in the 
drv stiffness of that misnamed utilitarian ism which proffers the cup of learn¬ 
ing without an atom of sugar to sweeten or commend it to the youthful 
mental palate- Let us have literature for the poorjuvenile books in 
Bengalee and Oordoo, illuminated with well-drawn pictureswholesome 
and instructive substitute* for the wretched filth upon some uf their temple 
walls let us have "TV or king men’s" illustrated magazines; and tracts on 
domestic virtues, and social habits, and general knowledge; literature that, 
whilst pleasing the eye, and tempting the imagination, will meet with no 
opposituiD from the Brolitnun or the M outvie; and let them nut he thrown 
grutis amongst the people, to be converted, probably, into wrappers for the 
hucksters 11 wares, but sold «> cheap m to came within the menu nearly of 
the poorest, whilst not interfering with any judicious distribution by the 
generous ws prizes or presents, Xu the east, as in the west, people do not wwi 
to value or respect that which costs them nothing, or is not made in some way 
Eperial. 

It lint follows, that great uumljcrs must be taught to road them,—which 
»mr the great majority cannot. You may oak—" but are they willing 
1 will end envoi i r to give the means of judging. It ha* been estimated that 
in the Province of Bengal and Bnhnr there arc about am hundred thousand 
Village Schw1* ' Does this evidence a people unwilling tu tie taught, or to 
educate their voitugT The ctsuit in nttly a proof that the teachers eomii.it 
gh t what their scholars nre willing to rerrin -; for wltftl has hitherto been 
this result ? It may not always be safe to judge of the whole by a part, a* 
much frequently depends upon locality, and the etas* of people I but as an 
instance of the state of knowledge amongst the rural clause* generally, 1 have 
gleaned from a Statistical table now before me the following facts. In eighteen 


























im 


(irn.H. life lft nrx4i.iL, 


villages heJonpu^ to this district ihr mitiLbfrr of families is 317 + whasz con¬ 
dition is stated to be at* follows*:— 


T!hjh*c wJhi nrn pralty t* ctL uff 
I h !..€•’ wb-o art ULktlicr ru:b uur |M .or 

Ai id <1 r |i^jf , * H 


4 

m 


The aggregate of tlio household* of these families in stated to be—of Men, 
522 t —Women &46,—Boys 419, and Girin !.l US* Now, of the HSa tarn, the 
number who am read and write in liU, and of those w ho can do neither 499. 

Although tlie majority of these are not Hindoos', but Mahutttmtdaiu, I 
believe that vi ten instance in no degree disturb* tiie inference, tbr the children 
of both creeds alike are sent to the village school*. tuid 1 am not aware that 
amongst the humble rttrai classes there is much less indiimtitra on the part 
of Alahummudaus tlimi Hindoos to educate their children—after their fashion, 
f may also mention that these eighteen villages are Attached to three mis- 
w'.umrjr stations. Number* of the young, therefore, may ho (apposed to he 
now under tuition, so iliat some dozen years hence, when time has been 
allowed to mature this rising generation, such n (able as tlmt quoted from 
aljot'e will he a curiuns and interesting document. 

Weii, then, willingness heing conceded, you nest ask, probably,—" Have 
they cefiacUitM for learning l-" Upon this also ymi shall form your own 
opinioM. 1 lately paid a visit to a School at a place called Tkakwr Pooka, 
almut ten milts south of Calcutta, tuid which «wo its origin to the zeal of 
the Rev. Mr. Long, irht»e meritorious object was the education of the fowvr 
tltutt *—the pcaannrry, Mr. Long's plan is very tntuth upon the Pes£nlo*«ian 
system,—an endeavour to cultivate the mind by aid of the Book of God, mid 
tin: Ihxih of Nature. Indeed, le*# Iiy lwoks than by objects and pictures. 
English however. Mensuration, History, Physical Geography , Map-drawing, 
Natural lli»tury, and a Knowledge of Plant**, are amongst the subjects of 
study,—all of which information is applied to the actual purposes and pur- 
riniL- of life. In the garden, for instance, the lads are nude to work manualiy 
nml to Irarn and apply their knowledge at the same lime. Every branch rif 
instruction in of course imparted through the medium of their own language, 
Of the intelligence and quickness of the lads at the school 1 certainly had 
ample cvidraice> and Mr. Long's own experience and report is, that in capa¬ 
bility they fall nothing short of those amongst the higher classes. 

Mr. L., however, who is a very champion of the peasant, declares, that 
with one or two exceptions, he lias never met with an atom of sympathy in 
liJs labour* on their behalf from the U rain nuns or other educated native*. 
Some Zuinccudara having actually told him tlmt he disgraced himself by 
teaching these "/nMw" or beasts I—and be complain* that the educational 
system adopted by tin Government is to encourage only Brahman* mid others 
of the higher Hn-'SCS; the nature of the studie** lieing adapted only for those 
wlm are intended for writers, or to follow similar profession*; thus evincing 




























titcoitTANCE ov EXT£Misn KUCMTins. 


in¬ 


ti deficiency of tfoiisi deration fur the poorer ckuw** who* in point of fact, have 
no education offered them ^nimble to their wants and condition* 

In one of the great ediicutiotnd rstflblwhmmit* of England, tins £I British 
end Fort ]go School" in the Borough Rond, St. GeocgB*s Fields, London, L 
tun remember nimiy yemr* ago seeing hung upon its wall a full-length 
Portrait of the benevolent King Gcwgr Til., end in golden letters beneath 
it a passage from Lit speech* made to the educationist Mr, LaiinwEer, which, 
run well as I can recollect* ran in these words i— 

rt it is st ivi&ii that n m rinm cm lh in my douimoxs biiuttlei 

DE TAEOKIT TO tlEAU THE BIBLE/’ 

n desire you wiVt r I am sure, say worthy of a Eliig, and of kingly imitation. 

Now, it may not Ik» i-eusy to teach 4f every poor child M in these vast 
eastern dominions Ua read the Bible all at once ; but, at least, that can be 
done for them which is done for the poor of every Christian country before 
the# can pcniAC their Bibles,,—they euii he taught to rrtui simple books* to 
begin with;—mid the question bos long been at rest, 1 beliere, whether thin 
is not beat done for the million in their own language and diameter: the 
readiest and surest channel alike to mind and heart; certainly to the mind 
and heart of that most important agent of initmetion—IfVmaji.* 

" It is/ 1 {says one writer), + - in the dwellings of the people that the mind 
and dnmietcr of the people are formal; that their physical frame* urc 
matured, their moral natures educated, their judgments guided and directed, 
and that their future place in the scale of morality mid intellect is drier- 
mined/ 1 

Hens, then* it will be proper that 1 should tell yon vs hut- incusurcs have 

* Tbit HvniMinlik Mr, Stunc, ft rtnui oppgtmiLE Id llu: uTilrmail fiti!j[ift|im.rn? nf EaBctltb lit o^r 
Cmtft nf Tit, 11 * ibr [irrj'dilii , H tf tfcfttmng *nd diftlfr-EH nf Ilf Omntij, ww tymlly ofj^»wl 

In the filialHiitind of JJ HOT wrltlen rUrmrltr Ibr ike on* »M* 5ft uv* ftin- 1 ’i! (Irn pNtp*, bywHfik 
thfl bleraHiTW JL-f (Ur. C-d dairy Leh l*ru fhi-HmI uii few ftr«" >Tr SMu niiisu Inins Ibal thus rrjjxm til lbs 
iiWflli nf Urn hainnn fi-hftfflirfw In eJib noiHitlfa* wIuiIl bteftnu ■dL^rrl tu Ibut pr.™ ™ 1 bu uumnl 
uf kBQwkJgr sod chCliifliiein over WbariiiH mil ipwnHw*, omA uUmtie*. " B 'T h* niitma ral 
JpjLpt* mtMtf lIuc tm crater [unfmrikiii of llwir fenf-rigb ift, of iUelfi ■ TimUrr of (foqbl; vnft Hie 

lictk Swniins UfitiJ pipunjed vu cvmtiH«S n**ai snCTior'dv&blc fr*. Tie llamam *t»tftMiibnd ufaml*. *oit 
Errand th* fttidy nrf theft own Tlmy twijfiit ibesr «*rj kto* tmtumUj j il lLe Lt o* u dn.Tfttl€r* | 

ftnJ tleiE, btiivc aaiuna iL« nui of the peupk ntaKin.* to wnJ rL "L '** x ' wtepu J \v ftil wtn k>jvtl f«: 

luVjmiiLkm or 1 »ilvjanrrUH:Dl ft! I tin* tlDJHk Etpitj ititBUM of ft fhinp 1 of tKis IfKtlrft rliftirBrt^F of ■ 

jir-njilr. W iaJ« ni jiln«- fmifl ™ «f ot|)ef of tlin* (wW^lftil €**»"* Bat, uki Mr. Starr, " Wty fthud>] 
Wr hnipDB iba lbs untlTB. OF I tiJh will gir? up tMr duunctcr for «r* t Ttfry a« aot Ittiiirftto t 

IiiibiSmS* of ilunUftoiSi mnuidi: item irr ftlile to rtail ind Tiilr, *nd forty na It^r jwibJir oni prorAin 
raiirem itr™Ti ihJ* raHidin, Silt all uslwr dTiliiol jjtople." 

A* to tfav nttUty nf hicIk ■ ctiftft^ iw-fft. Mr S. rrm&xl.i ,Tit writ* eirirolal Sn/ituitft* h llic Ihimisi 

ctklTftBtW Tn±V II# liitfill Ed titlllcilll 111 Eitnifur BtitiiLftTB DO IntOTH ■>* twk la tlicm lilt praDDlLrifttivTl \ 

lint il rrrtlllitj whl bt m hil ftlita^ wSwU-rrr Id Itc people elf IniliL H Sv r h hr ng^lit bate htM, tu I be 
miiiL'HE Eurapfin—<o wlnon it is, HrinhiSj, ihoeI* Ua itndjr nud to ar«kr»«ftid lb* SftTiffP^ to il* 

obftTBrtcr, than in ojus nJavuil flDDthrwcS id "hM Hr. Short calls 11 h hal> ■ of doU," t|ft»Jwt, imS 

lEi Si.TLt5LftJ wax tcij EkftI ponlr Elua pp ftiul iDTiOfr thm nsidr.ritaOilifiS. 

















HI HAL 1,1 IT. is BENGAL. 


been 1 nken in furtherance of thia great object of education by our rulers; 
wlio, it would appear, in establishing sc hunts iijr the higher nud middling 
clauses, hoped (an it mnkt be admitted they hail good right to do] tlint, 
through the iuriroroenUltty t>J‘ tho pupils who obtained in these institutions 
a tlmrengh acquaintance with the knowledge of the Wait, that improvement 
would descend to the rural vernacular,seftooh, and its benefits be ultimately 
felt by all dBHies of the population.—But this hope has not been reidked. 

Iht- truth ii, that in a mil u chaos of ignorance, superstition, prejudice, 
and evil influences as India presents, the efforts of the Government may he 
said hitherto to have been little more than mere experiments, On Lord 

i ten fin i-ls 9 first entering f lie field, he found everything purely Oriental;*— 

^i ttnfl A rahie, the classical and not the vemacuhir languages of the 
Hindoos and Mohuinmudans, Here aim out alone encouraged, and at conside- 
mhlc cost of money. Oriental colleges bail, we learn,—partly a* a measure 
of policy, and partly from their bearings upon the ven.mmknj,—been origin 
nally founded as A means of conciliating the people-more especially the 
Pundits mid Moulries, by showing respect for their ancient learning, w hen 
the students who held scholars flips were supported! 

ii » sympathy with this system, and determined that 

till the funds appropriated for educational purposes would he best employed 
on .English education alone. The system thus changed, causing, of muke, 
vehement oppo«ition and disaiitin&rtion, though it withdrew the stipends, did 
not Mdude Oriental learning, nor the venmccW Hut English now became 
in ib,- ascendant, and seemed, indeed, to threaten not only thr learned Oriental 
Inn gunge-, hut the vcrii ocular tcngne likewise! A re-act ion soon took place, 
Lurd Auckland restored tv » nieu-uicd degree of encouragement 7 ' to the 
Oriental languages, and made it clear that so soon as a sufficient number of 
good ■Urnacular claao-booki* had been prepared, tlie vernacular a mat he 
mainly relied on in any wide system of nation id education for the great 
nnurt of the people. The plan of combined instruction in English and ver- 
nocular then rose in favour and strength, and fin* eoutimu d in practice to the 
pnwent time, and in the hirer provinces with streccu. In the more remote 
dLstricU where English mflueneo was less fell, the resulta were less favour- 
able; and, indeed,in process of time, the minor English sehools in tire North- 
\\M prepares were abolished—the study of English wait confined to the 
college* at the principal stations, and a system of purely vernacular edltco- 
lion was on n wide ImutK. 


In the year 18 M, tire subject of village schools in -Lower Bengal again 
received the Government attention. Mr. Adam's suggestion of improving 
the exiting mdiginou. schools, though not actually rejected, was laid aside, 
It was thought to be »almost impracticable,” and, fom t | ie enormous 
numlrer of schools, that it would involve great expense. Subsequently 


• “ fed* or JWic 8, J. Kwt, It.A, PrwIK ltey* Call^. 

































EUl'tlATlOX rs ilT.\uAL* 


I fiH 


under Lon] I lur dinged admmhtration, it won determined to establish a 
certain uumber of Government village schools in the several dStrict* of 
Ueo^al, BeTinr, and Cuttack, in which, whikt serving m model* for the 
of schools, sun ml and useful elementary iiutructiun might be i ns j^trl l -i 3 
in the vcniaetLlar language. Accordingly, in 1H15, thirty fichccils were opened 
with 000 scholars, who were made to pay n small fee tif uue anna in lilrle 
more than a perimj). In the fofaswing year, the nmnber of rthocb was 
sernsity-one 3 and of eehrdurs 1730, During the next two years the number 
of wehonU continued about the same, that of the adiolam nttninin if Ui 2005 
hut in the foUowiiig year the schools hcruinc reduced to fifty-right, and 
fie filly fell ta forty-three. 

Li short* for some rtmuu nr another, success did cot equal expectation.— 
By acme, the want of success was attributed to the bcImkjIs being “too purely 
vernacular for the actual state of the people, **—It was thought tlini those 
classes of the community whose minds wore alive to the advantages of educa¬ 
tion., were dauroiis of acquiring some knowledge of English along with 
vernacular instruction. fi The proximity of IUI English school” [say* Afr. 
Kerr), 4,8 generally act* ca nu extinguisher to a purely vernacular sehooJ+ fp —- 
Some of the load officers reported fp that the cry for English wm uni verbal, 
and that the \mys at school thrust their books into the urn* turn’ homls, and 
insisted upon being taught English]'* 

1 can hardly suppose, however, that Ikr&e ladn were from the purely rural 
or humble ranks. 1 believe it in admitted that the anxiety far English urine?? 
generally mom from the very natural desire of improving worldly prospects, 
than from any abstract love of learning (though this is not wanting whm 
oaec its gratifications have been enjoyed), and the youths in question were 
most pmliably of those clause* whose minds (or rather the minife of thdr 
friend? i might thtii have been acted on. It may be w ry true,, tlini a good 
vmiaeufar education can provide employment for more tlum would he benc¬ 
hed by an English one, but either they think otherwise, or that the English 
in more fruitful But in inference ta the really humble elates, it se^mis more 
probable that one cause of foilure at least was that n the means of obtaining 
an elementary vernacular education akrti'ify t.riMled to a considerable extent 
in private schools throughout the districts/ 1 —and that at very small expend 
The native schocdraiL^tcr is content with trifling remuneration ,* and Gqretti- 

me-ut tbiiH became a rival to the Gourm Musfiai, or village pedagogue_ w|jq p 

probably a Brahmun. would have easy work in minting encroachments an bii 
ictmwK. Another ceitse of failure wn» sup posed to be the inferior class of 
teachers employed—the salary being no temptation to thi&e of better capa¬ 
bilities. 

But it is now thought that the whole thing was crude in its amngrmrntjs 
or plains. There was no proper system of snpfirviman; no fmoouragfiaumt 
held out to the pupil*—and no training of teachers! 

About the time, however, when these things seemed moat discouraging, 

1 






























170 it L llAL LIFJl IX POfijiL 


thvv received u hew and iropnrtnLit impetus, The attention of the authorities 
at home was opening not only to the genend * object of tile education of the 
musaes nf the people, hut to the evident success winch had attended Mr* 
ThonitiMnfs plana of vernacular education in the North-West; and to this 
suref-^hi ami the necessity of adopting similar measure#, Lord LiaLhdusic and 
tha Supreme Governmrut drew the at to Mi ion of the Government of Bengal* 
Hereupon, Mr. Holliday—to whom so much is due, mu! who was appointed 
Lieut^-Governor in 1B53 j— took up the aubjoot most earnestly ami Tigortrady* 
He formed a scheme of vernacular education for Bengal, whicli enlisted 
private enterprise hy what are briefly known as “ grants in —that h f 

snnLH of money granted in aid j—provided for a supply nf vernacular teachers 
by the establishment of three normal schools in Calcutta, Dacca, and Ifooghly; 
enlisted the sen-ices of the villagetembers ; ratal ili*lu-rf >VA o / arnh whi r] i 
afforded 21 small allow unco of money to enable boys to pursue their studies 
longer and, Lastly, appointed Mims inspector*, and a stall of puIj- inspector^ 
to visit the Mofnssul. for the pur^insc of examining existing schools, and 
eueotiraging the o^hlishment nf new ones. 

These iQcamrt*, together with an encouraging educational dispatch from 
England, which died the wheels, as it were, of the great engine, have given 
cmihidcrablc impulse to the cause of Education* and led to the production of 
a large number of nseful vernacular work*.* What is now wanted is mtmey 
to extend the system T and a relaxation of the stringent conditions of the 
*' Gmnt-iu-aid P| rtdes f —rules which, it is complained, demand that a people 
who tni|ttirr still to be taught the value of that useful knowledge of which 
they one destitute—should meet haJJ the of its tienuiremeuL— 1 This, 

it is thought, really liears some parity w ith the siippositionary case of 
Government intimating its intention of appointing no Police, unless the 
thieves paid half the eipenie of Lta cstfihliahmenL 

But, in truth, 1 iMdieve that the great anti coinpndiEiisivr! work of Eduea- 
lion is not for aut$ GoVimmeut tumid*'d 1 o accomplish,, U may lead Uie way 
—may, be the grant instigator, hud pioneer;—may lend it* countenance, and 
the iniliapt nsaldc aid of its pccunjnir means, anrl lie the great dispenser of 
reward^— carrying out strictly the rule which mfiite that every one holding 
the humblest office in its employ should be tilde to read ttrui trrii^f— hut if 
the educated natives, them; w ho have so freely rmiml t will not os freely give 
—if they either wtii oot ? or do not know how to, impart to their poorer coun¬ 
trymen wide portion of their own light, it in for Europeans, os fur ns m them 
lies* t*> do it for them, and tti claim its honour*, ft must be in short, hi 
gnat part, a amk tore —not of authority ; and unless the gentle and kindly 
influences of private pfil*on* lie brought to bear upon the peoples minds and 

* IS59l “~ I* »■ mMrkbfc tbit during lbt emit urtiAjr tvtj litik uij.w? wu tWs to Eh® 

"""“id" ae ^ M ifl tJ| -' N«th’Wat p«n; md tiut b«l yi*r, rratluS cnUtbj Lad 7W p uuU 

Mqwm vi vr^nr-jJar buuti m&K »>[JL*Lb priqM in throw preeiu™ 

t Tkk Lm prti? Ikcd cirri til ml t»>lh b tku^l aui tlir Nwib-Wttl prurber.. 





















iu moreen ok edvc-itiso (;iniA ]j| 


lienrbr,—"the rich m well ita the poor, in order to bring about thr one f/i'rwi 
paramimni nbjttl —the education uf girl* oh well a* boy*—all iEie leaniin-j of 
the school*, as thr ns the red interest.?, and education of the latter are con- 
et:rtiixi p will Imj hut /akr /osJf. They may !k- smart,—they may her dever,— 
they may be capital arithmetiriijiis j but as mom], intellectual, uml civilized 
heiu-H, u3! their le a rning w[JI p I fear, he a* the idiots tide—' J full of sound 
atiil fury, si^nifrfpg nothing” In short, I cannot but regard any system of 
education which either attempts, or h compelled, to exclude TVornttm from its 
benefits and its agency, ns little hotter than a house < a built upon the saiuR" 
To the MJf^uiiiury—the Planter—the Moftirtml residents, ami, F4 tliou^h last 
not least,” their wive ft f who live amongst the people,—who mm talk to them, 
counsel them, and exercise a variety of kindly Influences ever ibdx mi nils, 

bached by the aid of hooks, and other appliances at their disposal ;■ _to tht>*e 

agent# we must chiefly and hopefully look for that ono grirat birring—that 
one great ,f Gntat-m-aidj," to the rural millions of India,-—Education. 



nu_m.ii rmj,u sduutk. 


So our fittle suppositional^- friend, Bonomliee,— whom we left at 
school,’—bus profited but little, you may guess, by bis village education. 
\\ hat be might have done, ami what be might have become,, had one of these 
Govern idout schools reached ki* village, or had his better fortunes carried 
him to one of the great institutions of Calcutta, am far ether tjncations. 
There you might see the of the native mind fairly tested and 

developed j and, I will giro you in her own wonts, the impression made upon 
nu English Italy, who far the first time, limited Dr, DiiiTs institution :— l( but 
wliat struck ine mast wan the eagerm^ and animation with which they 
answered ; the intelligence and north which sparkled in their eyes whenever 
anything amused them, and the pleasure with which they listened to whnt 


























172 


Ml itiL LIFE T ys Rp'NCJAL, 






wjlh said, I never saw 3 tr a rhfr on such deLighifid terms witii Ills pupik”-— 
And again r—“ Every one traa aHm, awake, auger, happy, ami Intelligent; 
crrtoiijly tiny are a m®>t quick-wilted* intelligent race; they undmutand a 
won! or 11 sign in n moment, ikml prieL up their ears at eyerytliiiig that is 
going m 


But our present little subject 11 him t lie content with kis rhyming nquire- 
inrnE- fe*peer.iug the gods and godded-*, with such scraps and crumbs of 
momlity as he mny Imre picked up from the « Rlokes ; 1 and. lastly, with his 
ari 1 hmctic. In this he will probably escel, for the qnicknesa of the Bengalee 
in nieonnts in generally most remarkable, whilst at the same time he mny 
attlj. be cnablr-il to sign his name in wri ting ! if he contimieE in the fields 

be may retain hi* rustic manner* and sun pH pity,—lubonr at Ids; plough,_ 

Kipitidy Ixiiid to the position to which be bdierve* hmisdf bum* and to the 
authority, and demands t>f those be equally believes were born 
nl*ovc him s burrow heavily fur somo ettnivpgntKre of a week,—be fleeced bv 

thi- MullJijlin, nr others, and half starved for tlie rest of the year;_and so p 

with ill-fed body, mil worse fed mind,—with affections deprived of the fonii- 
merEible m& invalmdile influent that flow from those brat I jest teachers, 
mother* nnrl siatem, educated, honoured, and unshackled 3 seeking Ms only 
comfort m sleep, and Ids mil y luxury- in smoking,—be Uvea on rmd in all 
thi* you have ample materia!, as far at least an men are coneernetl, of the 
" abort ami simple annals of tho (Indian) poor .’ 1 

Let now step Wt for awhile to Buimmtilro'i married sister, Krisbtomo- 
ne& ^ “ ^ Jl,t kittle inure, poor girl, that «e -Isnll nee «jr have to sny of her. 
She has returned from the bouse of her fathcr-in-linr, whore we left her on a 
risit, to her parents. There it mar be for tiro or three Tears more abe may 
suisii-i her mother in domestic duties—in rooking—cleaning—or if them be 
my children younger than herself, hi rnirsing. The poorer she is now, 1 
might almost say, the better; for she can at least breathe the air;—Llie richer 
the worse! for she must keep to the hotisu or its enclosure. 

At length—perhaps in hnrdemrtli or twelfth year, young Krishtomom* 

I fur she dor* not rbmlgt* her name at marriage), is summoned to licr husband's 
dwelling in his father's house* Amongst the Hindoos, it is remarked that 
inamngr M -' ltlniri separates children—that is, son*—from their parent-. 

aiul that sometimes gmod&tluro witl, chililmn aU( i grandchildren in « direct 
line, amounting, probably, to fifty; persona, mny Ik; found in one family. 
lU<n then, ere she has actually ceased to grew, the child of eleven or twelve 
years of nge enters on the matrimonial slate,—And now, what i» her Jot ? If 
by good chance, her husband likes her, will, by still happier chances, ther like 
m b other, all for a soo^m may be smooth enough; Imt, alas f ulus! if it be 
otherwise!—And surely, where onions are without choice, even without 
mutual consent, this is far from unlikely, If, cren M rin object of attach- 


* M life hkihi M iilam, Cmnp, mJ JaBknmS By Hit, CcjIll. Mwiract, p. 42—iX. 




























eras OP EARLY M AAAI A c'l £5. 


ITS 


tnciit, her condition he that of domestic eerritiide and drudgery._without 

eqimlity t the condition of one who during die dnv is neither friend nor 
counsellor,—not even companion to her lnubond, with whom, nor before 
Trhnin *he does not e™ eat; in the presence of whose friend^ it in possible, 
slie docs not even sit, if she can appear at nil.—-IF nil this be hi, what is 
lik.c'1 ^ to be her ‘■‘•(ate when, in place of being loved f (die in diMmrded and 
disliked ? 

Mr. Wart! (from whom I have so often quoted, and the general correct¬ 
or of whose authority few, I believe, question}, declares of these early 
marriages they an* fr seldom happy ;*— and, indeed, he draw* so pad a 
picture of a state of things consequent on the system, that, writing as lip did 
so long ago, 1 am not disposed nmieccasarily to repeat what I cannot from 
my own knowledge endoric, and think it not mipomble mDj at tins time be 
in *ouae degree modified*—At ail event* we need not drug our Little friend 
through the worn suppositionary mire,— Things may not prove so had. It is 
quite possible, however, that ere twice twelve moons, we may #ee she is a 
mother. Her little one Li scarce eleven years younger than herself!—And, 
oh 1 glorious luck for her—it is a hoy! Had it been otherwise, and the like 
ill-fortune oft repeated—or, still worse, probably, hail she remained child] i?*b, 
—she might in eight years have been supplanted by aiiQther wift y whom the 
hither, or the elder brother of her husband would probably have sought on 
his behalf; ami from this fruitless source of contention it seems doubtful on 
whom the greatest share of misery may hdl—the early wife, or her husband! 
From this calamity, ns we have socn, Krishtonumce is at present safe, lint 
how passes time with her? IIow fares it, through weeks and months, with 
the tf child-wife” and child-mother f —Very drudgingly, it 1 muit be ackTiow- 
lodged, if she is pour—very stupidly nnd uselessly if the reverse. Tn the firet 
case, what with nursing, ami nil its otrcfl; —bathing, and allits cere monies— 
cooking, spinning, and other down h tic duties,—scarcely a mnmeiit of tbs day 
may remain unoccupied; and, an the other hand, if her husband prove ]n 
better means than to require tin* sordid slavery, what are her re&ourr^ t 
She cannot read,—nor can her friends,—nor use the needlewhat remains 
to her hut dreamy listh^sness idle gossips or dead ennui y 

But mark the gleam of light already Jp dnpp&ng the drowsy East” of 
Won mid h life 3—light said to be only the ret urn of that wbirh 3 inunemorial 
■g«* n^p »kDnc brightly on Hindoo women 1 A talented and respected native 
friend has written a paper, the effect of which certainly illustrate* wrl] {be 
marvdloosgulf between theory and practice;—showing, in fact* that some 
or the interprctotioni uf Hindoo laws and tradition* affecting women have 
been gross wif-mterpnitatiuni or corruptions h —utterly inconsistent with each 
other. The Institute* of Menu, he contends, inculcate that a daughter 
should he considered os the "highest object of tendernca*;that tin- same 
ceremonies after birth (excepting those pertaining to the uncrifidal thread)* 
belong io her aa to a son ■—that she should be nursed and educated with 
































174 nr Hal LOT iv BENGAL. 


euro [the term "educated,” my friend assuring having really its full 
English uignillaitioii];—that, allicit their education h not enjoined in the 
Slum te r* (and their read mg the wfirAr is certainly forbidden ) T many Hindoo 
females have yet obtained very ermraderable literary proficiency;—that "it 
is better that a damsel, though marriageable,, should remain at home tUJ her 
deaths than be given in marriage to a man void of esndtent tgmffiticn;—that 
the power of choice h not entirely taken away from her;—that tire atde of 
daughter* by Kaoleu* is cspivn^y prohibited;—that the rigid confinement 
of women to the house in wrong, and did nof i-.ivV in fon#&* time*; that 
winnrn even prtictinktfl riding, as the >1 nlirattit* do to the present day;— t\ml 
they enjoyed many civil and even political rights, as in other nations j—that* 
u hi 1st Menu authorise* a husband to correct an erring wife, if he choow^* 
** ^'ith a twig, 11 —and another sage in opposition, says M strike not* even with 
a blossom, u wife guilty of a hundred faults;"—that the Taiitra# inculcate 
gi'ciit respect to a wife, and that the mild and respectful expressions meA in 
addressing n woman,—the regard r-howu by " making way for her/* and Ten¬ 
dering her one of the first objects of hospitality; the lemons ineniented fur 
honouring, and keeping her in a contented and happy state—the dediration 
of one's life fur her preservation*—the killing in her defence being thought 
“ no crime,” but justified—are, says tlie Essayist, warming in his tlmmc, 
"sufficient evidence of chivalry having once brightened the social horizon of 
India, and smoothed the speech, tlie behaviour, mnl the feelings of man, with 
her talismamc ftpell!”—lie quotes the learned Dr. Wilson also, who says » 
** It nmy be confidently asserted that in no nation of antiquity were women 
held in so much esteem as among the Hindoos j ,f and, finally, declaring that 
the practice of immuring women wm introduced into the country after the 
^lohummudtin invasion, partly from imitation and partly from fear,—he 
esflkims,—" though the cloud of M^lcm oppre^inu lues cheeked the c\ olu- 
tious of her lmraum tiring uifkicncr&^im sniluenee still pervading the manner* 
ol lire Hajpoota and Mahrattiis—every support that she receiver from the 
progress of civilisation will work as magic in dispensing its surrounding 
gloom, and cause a diffusion of her genial beams 1"* 

Remember all ibis is Cm in a Hindoo gent Leman, who assures me dial, 
among-t the families of Ills own aeqnaujitmiees—of course* the higher climes, 
who, indeed* have nearly all, in lliese days, received an English education*— 
he belie ves that the great majority of the females read,— And this despite the 
direful calamities which we arc told are denounced against the woman f *who 
shoJl dare to aspire to the dangerous pre-emiiicucc of being able to read mid 
write ! ,J —With such practical precedents thou, the champions of w oman's 
iutollcL-tual advance have no reason to despair*! 

* ttw i difvsojw <btlnr«t it one of 1 he znfiEtiDpi qf lii p S*rictj hr the AetyiuiMim ef P trail 
tdowlriltni/— j5*i jffjjcni JVjj J fkW J/jjtfju 

t The foUbvtBE TtirhfliijEi it frinq a npeiilih Hindoo, * pnal-maiicr in till $itr£ct, whu 
TT^IRtlcd to farLLlll mJbtUIHlkni, mill C1J5[ T1KWK, rOflpfieliftg |hl] ^LliCHlign of WOllltliLLj Em'P^rJ -—■" AJl|jgi 4 j£h 


# 






















InNOJIaNEE ami SU I'ElliTITTOS . 


m 


But, fur the Lust time, let us return to the humble Kriahtomooee. Ku 
liberal and enlightened husband prom|Kin or teach di her Id read. So, frith 
the core of her child, the ceascle^ round of house-toils, and the chatter of 
old women, whose mental in id physical eyes Jmv<> id ike only darkened with 
n i£ e j—with these must the days of her pilgrim nge eonse an cl go j—under such 
influences must her thoughts be crlcvnteA,—her mind Mtpmdl Take an ez- 
ample or two ul this elevation and equui-doiu— If film doubts her husband 1 ? 
afFcctloos, she may secretly iwimimNtcr to him a medicine obLiiiiied frnu] some 
venerable sybil, to cause Win alfcetimis to return ,—wn the charm-wrought 
melodic* of K^unufithal brought back tlao.se of Jahan ( Juin !—-Should he 
remain long from home, she may try' some other specific to hasten his 
coming;—and, to ascertain if he be well or \U } is dead or i* ilive, she may 
consult the mUdum uf u uilrh r who with n winnowing fan, judges from its 
motion as to the mart condition of the absent husband I 

But, despite tove-jurtiaiis and witohes, calamity i» at handKrbhto- 
eelexq^’h husband is sick and dying. He Less been seized with cholera. Docs 
fthe fly for the doctor?—nr apply some well tried and approved medicine 
suited to the disorder? Ala*! she known nothing of these things—they have 
never been in her path or pro™re; but with a won]Em’s deep and true devo¬ 
tion, she will fail him,—and shampoo \m limbs,—and bum some fumigating 
gum or herb, or smear his chest with turmeric or other nostrum, with which 
the counsel of the village crone or barber has provided her, from sources of 
Brahmunk aid, or incantation#,—all this she will do,- alike eagerly and 
vainly. Perhaps the case reaches the car uf a Sahib m the neighbosirhoEnl;— 
but it may be some eight or ten hours alter it> commencement, and then, 
even his sympathy and t ]lc aids* of true science, come too late r the patient 
sink*. Poor KrishtomoiiEc is a widuu'f 

And now what k her fat#7—or rather, hut for the pliilaiithrnpie courage 
of a British Oavcraor-Generalj what would it have itcen a few years hack? 

efertian vu dJo^ru to wamsfii it t verv rrsiiidc prriod, and isota of them wan mart rciiowdintJ fur 
■rime,—u. lisp feioipjiJi!, tfttiidij,—Ik mtinhM wT lb* jwiqdr tmikpacsi a* e&tite rij-pu^, uid 
Fmuili! f^liLririoa qii4 lihHTty *1 dHct sitbhclil; fltc 1 lm>: jwtJuj* flml Isulii brenTi Us gwvm ucultp 
the Mi4i*mixlta j-alr. FiLlirufe *ieu pruvdJuI w better vtutitn wcmlil w?t br rar^ wuJqwi Ef unde to 
le*ru. fail uq Llie BnijFitd^u* tmn^i'er af ll»u oulilitt* bifu jbe Uritilh Lnll I, is* filwmi Pfcilm aft nprsllii? 
I* revive itiholt L'JumtiudL \ and Sip. Hithnnf, w tipau wc mini bvit rerciSEerfl mt&i rxyrrr.arr, ■jmmi nriibrp 
bpdilj Labaju, mi prriqujn *7 rotiwU la rtnj ir Lrta effort, OwiRf la hii ptiiUmhmijij, friititfiflirmi lutfi 
been uLablivbrd it jtk*rt for fruude cducutUin, hut r id** I Uulr iKUtllti mr Hal trilkA ikime in iklwrml 
tu edncaii their ftri* fr.r jMvwrtJ* <Hhen ufirlflce Ibeif Jiiteftft tu tbe JEcbtH &f jinrjadiM, 

" Id ibe la**iu tirik# af jmsijlIc in ta«£lanf tbe fkpkHiuqi, i| it amwm to HdJ «q nln^trJ 

vomm. ojnnvg t |lp nii-JJ^E cLh*i a Jt b uuh miL i |e» jmuJn-J ibml ran nid. Lint ii flu ktihvr rUo r ibf 
mtnilrt.r b ruuiiilmliia. Hire Lli« vruwcn, asriiijLloJ frata tui-iLlil t]\\ik* m li btu Jdsnic- ud bmpnp Us rtviftr . 
■aJ, ukbo4 in flsci r rDnfw h g*ncnlJy. Iij- tbejp kumnl (wiNirti, art Betti m tiiiiIij pupid ina^roveinciLti. 

Ci i-i| .a« lLi iip iif flut clou Of vumm ifg luaiLti tlirpj pqEiFillLf d ill ^in>ul!UL bJi, «tnF iLe JUrtlU'If iLpf culLbilii 
Aft W} ntclbni ICIiJ til JE diij dp rn-itil to ibl ■m l rriurp iLrif ibLEiint aniii>iii of pi I ijjE'Mi. 

Mil inaimiLlj. 

^pioprilfi.aL, IS uliubiLry. aoj olhr:- feniill 1 L J aiTai'liii3‘ l ut tlinr £itc iiiii* tc-^Ls vf pltidv- M 
















nCHAL 1JFR v* Ilf MlL. 


176 


^ by, ill all likelihood* to have been ftfiwut fo the dead bmi# t?f her bmhmid, 
ami hm m ut nitre ttjttm hi* /mitral jigrt' f- —Let -t-illiCT iimti or woman of the 
Christum West coutemphiic this, humble idea without shuddering* if they 
cm f 

\au may well ask, whether mi institution of wick hideous barbarity could 
really belong to the gulden age of Indian ** etrmilry/ + to which my native 
friend ha* referred it* £ Assuredly u ot: it h believed to be of later in trodna¬ 
tion,— at mime more than ordinarily dark period of Hmdoowtn^—when the 
Fiery sacrifice was imppo§ed not mdy to beatify the devoted wife, but to 
remove the sins of the husband, and carry him with her to heaven I—Thanks 
to Lord Bcntiupkj—a man dear for ever to India and humanity,—this revolt¬ 
ing practice no more stains the soil of the Orient. Woman may, indeed, still 
suffer nil the pnvatiou* and discomfort of Hindoo widowhood—miserv which r 
by n cruel ingenuity, sec me? I really to have been in tended should drive her to 
the dames;—but abo cannot now l*e bttrbaronaly mvrdend, Nay more;—n. 
further and u mighty ftep is gained un her behalf. The chain of fttrnat 
widamh (jW— the source of misery and crime, to which it ia impoflnLhln fur me 
here to give expression, or convey to you the mefct faint idea—kns been 
mapped asunder, The legal, if not the supemitiotui restraint upon her 
re-marriage; lias Ijeen removedand Kri^htomonee* and thousand* ninre p 
virtually widows, {although, it tMay almost be said, scarcely ever virtually 
wltv-s: , are at leant free to re-marry, whenever the spirit of enlightenment 
ami of purer thought shall have suffiriunHy gained upon the men to sanction 
their frtcdoflL But* in wlini I am about to odd, you will, I trust, *ec 
pmmiw of further triumph; of a "light 11 destined at no remote date to 
pierce the prison-house of woman'* heart, mind, and soul to awaken her 
dnrmant powmm, anti restore her lo that position from which barbarous policy 
and priestly emit have >o long and cruelly displaced her* Not only has the 
work fairly begun, it is progressing with m enmestneas and, oww&jtlflntly* a 
Bucctsis, which fully j ustifies the warmest hopes of its designers. 

There h at tliifi time in Calcutta the Government H Bet hum : p School, with 
sixty female pupils of good caste —in other words, of the respectable classes, 
whose acceptance of the pmfh red aid is an jtedf a triumphant omen of the 
spread of its guod remdi* to all classra* In another school fmtnUialied by the 
Her, Dr. Duff, of the Free Kirk of Scotland) , arc seventy pupils, also of good 
cos fee; who now, I ana sajured, "read and write admirably; know geography., 
arithmetic, needle-work,—and p I rejoice to add*—portions of the Bible. 
Connected with the General Assembly of the established Church of Scotland 
there me two nticli schools—otic at the end of the town* containing sixty 
pupils ; another at the south, with Hie Hkn number; and a third, upon the 
Duni-Dnm road, for the poor, or bwat dnsees, containing about forty 
scholar*. Derides these* and the girla 1 school attached to the London Mi*- 

* Tbs fiTulhm ii criiluitEj I*te 4 *Ie, u4 li bq toafr: * jwrt wf Hiiukmiim Hun t \lb pcnnJUtrag' i|ririt 
r>f ike mm* ogu ™ part of tbe *T !ford? t Nn,4Q£* 



















TV nCITE \X I N rU E.M E S ECr.^SAilf 


177 


simsns-y Society* Institution at Bhuwtmiporti, mul two or three Orphan 
11.^1^ iu the city, belonging cither to the Batitbltdied Churches, or the 
Free Kirk of Scotland^ there me smaller Bwtar tetania fur children; while, 
in ilie Mofussul, at ndom Mission stations, several female schools have bean 
established with goud mm sen. Let me state that in all these, except the 
Refugees Institution#, where the children are principally of Christian 
parentage, the language or the people is the medium of instruction. 

Ihat the darkness of ignorance and superstition taunt eventually fly before 
the light of European, knowledge, mid Christian principle*, with this nil* 
powerful help and agency it,or at 1 j l hi mit fin, is abundantly manifest, 
it in, Quill tiji- densest portion of Hindoo and Mahtunmutlnn bigotry is thus 
rolled nwyy, and men's eyes can bear the tiled lustre of truth and knowledge, 
h-1 ij.i in,t be unreasonable, and marvel at the shortness or venkuess of their 
vision, Let us hr patient, till educated u-nuton ran enter the arena, the lamp 
of knowledge in her training hand, and take the great enlightening and 
softening part in the work ,if human culture assigned to her bv "Nature 
and Nature’s GodT* 

In all that I hare now told you, yon may remark that I have spoken 
almost ex d usd rely of the Uiadt* population of this gigantic land, or father, 
indeed, of its Bengal portion* llut there are /iww/y./w million* of Mata m- 
mudorts in India ■ and although, as I have intimated, a groat number uf the 
P<x>rett f or the rural classes of these, arc so mixed up with their Hindoo 
fellow -labourers os, in social habit* and appearance, to be half amalgamated, 
millions of the orthodox, the prouder Moslems, are as distinctk se|uirate as 
the Christians themselves. Of our Mohmutuudan fellow-snbjects, therefore, 
—tkeir domestic lives, habits, and custom*,—their women and children, and 
the means and prospect of their enlightenment, I might bare related much 
that would be interesting ;— hut fimr t and aamg cutisideratiim for your 
patience, now forbids, [ ran only -ay with the poet: — 




























LETTER X] I 


Jt'O/.'S- 

I P.4vi been nnititLg Li ML^iou Station — -that rif Kapil* Jan gull on the 
Boymli river — run! as I think you would Irkt: in know something of Indian 
Missionary labour*, I intend to oeeup y this letter hy tilling you wImt I have 
Mxm imd heard, 

Alt hough their are no ^c=i t Nmatry Mission cot doing* within ahem thirty- 
the mile* of M ulnae h 5 Kwhnaghur, within which district Mutnnth lies* i* 
nm i of the principal field* of Missionary opt rations in Bengal* My picture 
ol Mofussul life, there Atte, would Ini unjustly h untiii" if" I u m it ted ;lI] 
mention rd m interesting a subject* 

Tlstr Tm cunmiciiriMiient of tlit>e operutiouN in this district-—and I hatp 
no reason to suppose they were any wohns th:m darirfaft'iv—might Lave ku 
sufficient to damp the ardour of any pioneer leas zcdmiJi than the Rev. Mr* 
Ilenr; anil ndbrds n strung illustration of the necessity of a vwi amount of 
patieut endurance on the pnrt of thaw who labour in the work of Christian 
conversion, anil of enduring patient® on that of its supporters and lookers 
on- [ believe that the eatperience of every Missionary in India would echo 
the remark. I question whether 1 could have fallen upon a Mission field 
















i|1Lii»rriU£iDNA ron i v Indian Mi&BinsiAicv. 


179 


litre more of hniuM mi] wnitht found Iii f'xpmstf than io tlii^ of 
dauph—and ft is echoed there. It would just be unreasonable to expect it 
otherwise, Without the aid of special Pi cine interposition. 

In truth, a Mi 9 ffltauuy requires to be a man with gifts um| qualiii. 
cations of no ordimuy chametar, Ho ahouH be physically wilted to the 
climate to the endurance of Wt uni! exposure. Ho should posses* nn 
aptmuk for the acquirement of languages; without a familiur acquaintance 
a ith at least one of thoae apokmi here, he would be no he tier than the deaf 
and dumb. He should be as learned in the Theology of the Hindoo and 
Mohianmodiui as of the Christian. Tu the language of a. recent talented 
aulbrjr ** He must not only possess the requisite qudiBeations, but their 
possession must be apparent, lie must nut only appear well acquainted with 
his turn side of the question, but with that of hi* Antagonist; otherwise, the 
Hindoo lias the sagacity to know tint at any rate bis antagonist Inis not. 
been able to see Ms system a-* it is Seen by himself—nml, niter all (Ids, 
lie mlist very probably be cnntrnt to set up his abode near some poor village, 
where 11JI his scholastic acquirement* tnu] Erudition may be doomed, like n 
Budd light in a dungeon, to be spent upon a population of poor, ignorant 
peasants, who would hardly dispute that tin* moon were made of grain cheese, 
if time in authority bill them to believe it.—{Jut there may be one or tiro 
learned Drihiinuis or priests at hand, whmu he may either sect or ho sought 
i "and il unable to wiwft these gentlemen, amidst, it may be, numerous 
listeners, iu an argument, what Ik-cohim of his influence over the poor?—lie 
must neither hair, nor *tem to have, his equal. Thus, though armed to do 
battle with the mighty, he must be satisfied to spend his strength amidst the 
weak and humble,—and amongst them, eienrisirijr iui unbounded store of 
cheerful patience, lie content with the smallest amount of fruit for his labour. 

But after all, who can call that fruit, guild! which forms the germ of 
future generations of wide-spreading families,—Neither, T venture tu think, 
should so little value be get on wlwt are called mere “ immhuil Christians."— 
^Ihnt are nniuiiuil Christians ?—-They are those taken away from t lie heathen 
or Mi>1 l ilium LchiII, from whom a upreniUiig. branch is thus cut oil" that w ill 
rich] no more " daughters to the mother tree.” They nr.- those who, out¬ 
wardly nt least, regard and respect Christian doctrine and Christian hnbtts , 
wbu thus not only abandon a variety of either open abominations nr iinnm- 
mb ties, hut we under the civilizin'* mDuoncc and n^tiaiut of Christian 
teachers and praeticcs, stud whose eh'tUh'ttn are lIiiim brought up under 
<. firistin.ii education, in no danger or dread of parental opposition or discon- 
fageinent.—I* nothing gained in idl this? 

But to return tu Air. Dear, under whom Missionary operations were first 
established in Ji-ishuaphur, His commencement was well enough. He was 
joined by seven families of a peruliitr sect of people—w'l'pders alike from 


* “ Tbp &f 5 lie Ved*.“ bj lll& Bur. Pd ITT Prltfcifcl. 
























RUKAL LIVE IN QENOAL, 


180 


Hindooiani and lohum mud cm lhiti— fjilTi'd Kurtabhojn, who H iror -hipping tin.' 
Creator only—-not being idolaters, and having no tw offered fewer diOi- 
miliLijK {u contend with. But Mr. Dear hud Ronu to experience dMiearterring 
elements in the diameter of the people—those of worldly fouling* and 
di'cepihm—a deception fostered by two hypocritical CatixihLsta, who, going 
nbout amongst their iminlrymen, encouraged them to jobt, under the 
assurance that they would, in coiuwqmuirej till become Zumeimdar* and rich 
men ! 

Shortly afterwards, a faun eluent upon A severe ini mil alien (referred 

to iu one of ray former fattens), fell upon the bud. This was in the year 
1838-0, and Mr, Dear, making an appeal to the people of Calcutta,, obtained 
by subscription means with which he assisted the poor of his converts with 
tntmey and foo*h—This- wits soon known—there wtis com in Egypt—and the 
Hock of pro fearing Christian* became amazing 3 Two hundred and sixty- 
five families were added to the body. Their attendance was regular, anil 
their zeal Apparently on impeach able. The Mbshmimea and the Bishop 
(\\ iLson) were alike deceived* The good Hirtliop came up into the district— 
baptizing and confirming many, ami grants of money continued to lie made 
to assist the |KJur in their ilitTfauUies.. 

A loginning an auspicious was regarded by many as a kind of second 
Pentecost,—but; alma! no real foundation wan there! It liecamr apparent 
that tin- inducement—and who can wonder!—was the tempura) aid afforded 
to them ; and on ihi- aid being, in princes* of time, withdrawn, conviersioiia 
to Christ nil i by almost ceased !! The character of a great part of those w hip 
hail already joined the Christian body, also, afforded Little satb-i action. But 
there vras this eonflolatian at 3ea*t—they could not go buck,—but remained 
as m buri* for future opcrstioiis. Before this, however^ when the great 
in am-* of Christian? at Kbhnaglmr, numbering between two anil three 
thousand person,*, appeared to encourage and demand more tench era, three 
Miashnarics wetc appointed to that district. Of thesis one was the Rev, Jlr, 
Kransflj who, in 18*10, established the Xapnsdangnti mission and schools, and 
built the church,—nt first on a small made.—which wm bubsequemlr 
enlarged to it* present dmmuuonsj and this wm completed in 18IB—the 
year in which the good man died. 

Mr. Kraus* was succeeded in that year by the present incumbent, the 
Rev, F. Sclimr, and if this gentleman's experience of the people has not 
been better than that of other?, it j& certainly not from any kick of the 
needful quniifications, which probably lie po-seast-a in more than ordinary 
degree* If the work of convention were an invitatinn to the gold diggings* 
people might marvel at the hmallneaa of immediate results- but instead of 
the faiitlitie* of temptation, there arc the most powerful Imrriera which tlie 
spring* of the human mind eon interpose. The labours of the medical man 
arc often difficult and arduous enough—yet he toils only to restore men 
to wAat thry wm Atfart, and that with their hearty concurrence;—the 























AiismtowHV -uI'Hilations at kAJT’BDAsu.iii. 


m 


preacher to make? them what they never were before—and* it may he, very 
mudi ngnusrf tlicif indjrmtinri. Mr* SoJitar is wkdy nnE discouraged. 
Though in all candour lie speaks not highly of the* religion* condition of hia 
peoplei «fi-% he Eftys, fi few really sincere and good convert* uni eon- 

MOtcm Christians, iiTmuigat whom (At* tmhihw //re/jrjfl limitr ¥ As a morn] 
piwpLe- Mr. Strhurr consider* tin-in ueiirly equal h. any body of nominal 
Christiana. Lven their heathen neigblKnir-. bear tfatimonv to ihe greater 
truth fulreliableness, and gen era! moral conduct amongst them than 
MMPgtrt themadveaI This surety is no petty triumph; for, considering tJtc 
ehar&eter of their countrymen around thorn, in whom Mr, Sdmrr saysi he 
finds no tmthfubu'^s—no morality'—and of the evil influences by which they 
are thus unavoidably' environed, many allowance* must be made, mid too 
much should not be expected. 

Labouring, thru, to make the best of what he finds amongst them, mid 
rejoicing in whatever amount of Christian vitality they may ponties^ .Mr. 
Schurr ls content, with the irront Missionary leaders,. Hr. IhilV, Mr. Lucmh, 
and their excellent and zealous coadjutor*, to rest hi* lorgci - hopes in 
the education of Urn fjvmtf —the rearing a generation of native Christian*. 
In thi* interesting work Mr, Sehurr is as*luted by his domestic pnrtm-r* who, 
like her good husband, bring* not only zeal, hut that moat valuable cam- 
modi ty a lively cheerful temperament, tn lighten and sweeten the task of 
study * and to her rare are, of enurse, largely,' committed the training of 
ihme whom l am five in think by far the most important and influential 
reiipfonifc uf knowledge —the $trh* I t is almost vain to educate toy* if they 
go home to an ignorant mother. It is like giving (he child a fine fur cap to 
cot ci' the head,, ami leaving the feet hare to peri ah in the snow from cold. 
Wlial good thing will not prosper under the genial fostering influence of a 
respected mother ?—and what mischief and blighting chill may not arise 
from an ignorant and prejudiced one?—Men may educate bojV hmd #—but it 
is woman, in her character of mother and hbrter. who moulds ilieir heart* and 
tempers, and their most powerful and enduring inclinations and affectionii, 
Tt is the rooty not the leave* of tin 1 sapling that the garden it waters. 

A wholesome sight it wjis to see the girl* around Mr4. Sctmrr, cleanly 
anil com fort ly clad, plying the needle nud thread—rr calling visions—not of— 

ir ViEyrn wary and wars— 

%dkib Letsry mid Mi" 

[for t let the poverty of the Indian peasant be what it may, 1 fearlessly assert 
it has no misery' parallel to thorn* horrors—the inheritance of the tender —the 
educated—the sensitive and unfortunate)—but visions of English domestic 
iife 3 and a future restoration of woman in the—(owardu her— hart^rie Eastj 
to her rightful ]>osition in the scale of humanity. 

The suhooli arc divided into three departments : the boy* (whose school- 
room you may observe on the right of Mr, S. t h dwrellingj,— the girl*, who are 



















unui. lii'c i.\ nr. s: ext,. 


1«2 


] ratted rat the Other eitle of the bouse—and the infant*; to which latter 
ttiD poor are in many cases ('bid to send their little ones, just to be free 
of tin.'ui whilst they attend to their field labours. A nmnellmiftly amusing, 
iLiiitl, oi course, hopeful little assembly they formed,—in tin- midst of whom, 
nKifiiit sixty in number. like tui Eva amongst a triljc of Topsy's, the little 
wlnte face of Mrs. Schorr's own child «us bech— a* though tending the chorus 
unit acting as a sort of fugtemmi in their exorcises. 

The system pursued b identical with that existing in Europe—touching 
by amusements ami music j and .Mr, Schorr li;i* adopted what is culled the 
phonic system, or teaching letters and reading by sounds, which (ho Bays} 
thu children quickly pick up, and readily understand. Scripture texts and 
stories, lemons in of abject* iu natural history, and the like, arc varied 

hy little hymn- and minde descriptions of rural and other occupations, con¬ 
vey wi by Mtng and axtiou—healthful exercise alike to It mgs mid muscles. 
Timing one of these, w> sumtwiful were tbe little uetor* in tin ir imitative per¬ 
formance of an approaching atona, that , fairly deceived, mv thoughts had run 
to Laf ■“* fur escape from a soaking, ore I discovered the ivind, 

the thunder, rain, and lightning, in dancing feet, and a bright cloud of 
blushing eyes wid faces. 



gjirfunif ftiT mmi 


I am no admirer of “fcotlms* culture,” as the injudicious and unnatu¬ 
ral forcing of infants’ minds, to the detriment of body and mind together 
has been aptly termed, but am ltd to believe that tbe system here, from its 
character, which is intended rattier to nmnse than to impose, and the brief 

pencil during which the children are detained, is free from being obnoxious 
to the charge. 






























UESUI/TN of \rMHtQX\JIY OrERiTiDSfe:, 


In t1lc lm 3"' «*Ool, n inducted lii Mr. Sditirr, nested bv nmitilors 
lire about snty sdwbrs, varying in their ages from about fintr'to fourteen 
rears. In Mint »f the girls, who arc of the samo ages, them am not less 
lhBn ! AU P^tf regular in attendance—but the girls arc most 

tractable 1 , ami* liable, and mare mtinfnctary in their veqviremtntrt- _Such were 

Mr - Si'lmrrV ranrances. Without doubt it in tu the {fills iu- must tool for 
UU5 regeneration of India l 

The Bdile—histurr—geography—grammar, and arithmetic, are taught to 
all who ore old enough; and needlework, crotchet and the like, of which they 
are fond—to the girls; anil ns a nio.it valuable adjunct to all these things, 
Mattie by note; for in addition to his other ftHjiiirements, Mr, Schorr, who is 
fmtu (icrniany, possesses the talent of his country men for that delightful and 
hnnmuingsdence, and hence l* enahled to refine the taste of his scholars— 
to gratify their feeling*, and, by instrmnent.d and vocal help, to aid the 
solcmniting yet cheering and ennobling emotions connected with the worship 
of God. v 

Truly, a .Missionary to India can hardly be too clover—for, as tho onlv 
teacher it may happen, the only being of superior intelligence near to the 
poor, be will bo applied to under every conceivable circuinstance or diflivultv 
n* I have ahewn you the Planter may be. lie—the teacher—Is sup¬ 
posed to know, and to be capable of doing everything. Me must not only 
minister to their spiritual, hut tlunr temporal wants and buddy aihucntv. 
He must he „ ot only their minister and seW-nmattr, hut their doctor— 
their hiivypr—arbitrator, adviser, and defender iu all their worldly and 
domestic nflairs, here i* nothing, iu short, which is supposed foreign to 
his mission, 

OJ old and yoitng tlu-iv aiv, li appears* :i£ the pTHtent time, four hundred 
fluff thirty-*even Ciimtums residing in the rilk^r* of Knpu^rlonffiih. Of throe 
you will be surprise whim 1 ti ll you that more than niue-teuths wm 
formerly of that r:uv from whi<li the lemt testable people would Imvis hi re 
expected the Mohumirnnlan». Indet'd, I find, from n statistien] table jtibi 

wn ms, that in seventeen rijlagiy attached to this three [lei^hljoiiriitg 
C lirifilian ^li^ions of Kopu^&au^aL— HhuUahjxMr anil Rattonpore, there are 
tluir Imndml mid ^Tentrcin families of whom two tmmlrcd and niricty-bix 
were formerly Mohuinmudin#; and tlie rest* only twenty-one In number,— 
Hindoo# I Thiw disproportion might «m the more ivtiinrknhle from the 
faet that lliL- total population \n pml.mTily divided Into alwiut equal tunuherv. of 
Hindoos ami Moluimmadiuw; but the simple rip] aunt ion in, that whilst the 
former ^^eojile are hemmed in by Ilndumuift, and the influence of that hydra 
rtutfe * on every side, there in probably not a Muulvie h or Mohumiuadnii 
priest, to be Ibuuil within a day's journey, to influence over hi* 

C0-n>bgionIsEa r add liciict' with neither leaming tier ical, and Treoring (heir 
creed lowdy n1>mi t them * they are naturally more open to convex ton or 
change. 


























[^1 urn at. Lire is denial. 


A neighbouring Brahman priest very candidly confessed io Mr. Schurr, 

» We believe—mid wj do our people also—that tbe religion which you tench 
true; and if you were to speak to these people now, they would believe 
you; but we tell them not tu bqlicve wliat the Sahib* up—and we hart 
them entirely in our [jower t" Their thraldom is indeed most perfect ; and 
the pnwrT of the Brahman priests unlimited* It «.i* hut a short lime back 
thm n girls' school wic CHtitbliahed ill the village of Ruttoupoir; but it had 
not been in existence more than four flays when, by the power of the old 
Brahmans of the place, it was crushed and abolished! With the slavish ad¬ 
herence to the inirmw-mi tided prejudice* and customs of their forefaihers—or 
in though dreading the mighty engine of innovation which it would lei loose, 
there really seem* to be nothing more antagonistie than the vh in cation of 
women. Here and ilirre, however, a noble excepthm may he found. There 
i* at the present time all aged Druhmun Zumeendar in the village of Koarool- 
gatchen. neur to Xaptiadnngnh—who, at the instigation of Mr. Y- - here, is 
endeavouring (o establish a rehool for git Is; but so enuMdcrable is the oppo- 
mtiou by which the old gffitifrmin is beset, that it is yet very doubtful 
whether he will succeed. It is from the old ftiiin that opposition is chiefly 
operitmtttd. 

Ah n bodv r Mr. Schurr considers tfec Etind^w by fkr tbe most iatelligmt and 
•mwabk. l/nfbrtuimtcly, however, the higher intelligences arc almost eon- 
fined t« that swtion from whom nothing can well be expected—the Brnli- 
mmis, whose superiority in appearance is of itself nearly sufficient tu identify 

[hem_.they who ore all horn priests—flits officiating portion of whom, 

dependent entirely on their priestly authority for tiit-ir means mid their posi¬ 
tion, have naturally the mtssE powerful worldly incentive* {in addition to the 
juost fieiy real in defence of their ancient faith and dignity 1 for the most 
strenuous opposition to the spread of Christianity. It was hut lately 
that some Uminiums in the neighbourhood of Sylliet, conversing with a 
Missionary in that neighbourhood, actually and frankly told him,-— <L T be 
priests' business is ear business ;—.yon art* welcome to make Christian* both 
of us and our people, on condition that ice ore made VrietU, and paid an you 
are!" Zeal sat loosely here, you sec, and worldly interest predominated. 

Amongst the lower" orders of the people, 1 have not observed that there is 

any difference as to intelligent*hut Mr. F-, whose experience and field 

of obscrvution are so extensive, assures me that in point of nurgy the Hindoo 
rt lit*, speaking of them generally, bear no comparison with the Ifohuroinu- 
d*:m. In this re*pcci, therefore, Mr. Schurr’* convert material may he found 
not without some advantage of character. 

Walking through the village witli .Mr. Schurr, 1 remarked in several of 
tbe huts an improved uppramticv of comfort and deanlimau, anti a sprinkling 
of greater nicety and cleanliness in (Ire'S, lu addition to this, ope could feci 
the satL-foctioii of being regarded not us a tiger or a I war, but as a follow- 
mortal, whom neither married matron nor village maiden were afraid to look 

























a kbit uts car lassinwT Wit’ll. I^i 


upon, The fetters of ignorance—the darkness of ^x:ln-.iim. and the barbarous 
nose-ring*—lit emblems of duimefltic sin very, were alike exchanged for the 
purr fn%T [dr and light of liberty. 

Tins of Christiana in the Knpuidnngidi Minion, T have said h 

4$7* Of these 1211 are men; 137, incltiding 41 widows,—women y 88 are 
boy h t and Hh ^irl*. Of Lie- aLii i ii i 82 are cultiniM** of the hotter daw—out 
labourers Of day labourer*, who cultivate hixiaJI quantities of lamb there 
are LPi. Servants, eninieetcd in variuiLH wnyji with tlir Mission* 12 ; and u* 
those whose families are there, hut a lso a re themselves weiring elsewhere w ith 
what one of Mr. Sidnur’s little bays very innocently, hut very graphically 
termed.^ fh® u Valu e Brutalian/* there are !&► 

On the whole, the condition of the Christian people, 1 fathered P may her 
looked upon as certainly in bo me degrees letter than their Hindoo and 
MuosidwAiL ncighbuum. This can hardly Fail tn lie so; for* in addition to 
being wed the r\1rsn iigitneo into which Hindoo and Mohnitlrandan festivitiua 
Hud ue would have led them* the thoughtful care and intelligence of 

their friend and pooler has introduced amongst them an ndmirsihb scheme by 
which tliev are saved more than Lull the lows afctciidiiig advance# from the 
MuMjun. A primfr Mn/uijnnrr fttml 1m* been formed amongst them* from 
which advance* for mid —fried, and mil* Jirenmdc lu member* uf their own 
community, at lews limn ant half iht inirmt charged by the regular money- 
lender. Such has been its iuecras that the fund, which was begun with a 
sum of \ IS flu. ns a nucleus, ha* now inorensed to GD8 TU*, the whole of 
which is distributed in iti-lnnim fur the season, and a small portion m xtrjipmi 
t*ftridair# 3 with other poor persons, and of the estaldUliBumt in charge of the 
fund. 

The tieecsedty for this loan or advance system being apparently maeparii-- 
hie from the condition bf the people, who nn 1 thu* kept entirely in the hinds 
of those whose desire ia alone to benefit tbMdtEi, it i* a pity that this self- 
sustaining plan 1 Imve junt described, cnuimt lie frill owed by 1'lnaten also in 
aid of their Ityuts, Tim enormity of scale on which it would require to lie 
conducted* with its risks, and*—saddest difficulty of all,—want ol proper or 
reliable agents in the people* are IIlc opposing obstacle**—and tlie necc^ity 
of the Eyttt* being first freed trout present liability to the Muhujuna, with 
whom it b believed that all are actually inure or te^ in dcljf ! 

But when the intellect of civilized man can girdle the earth with n wiir, 
and hold camitiunion with the Antipodes, what good thing is there 'which* 
where the heart stimulates iht head, cannot be accomplished by degrees r—I 
yet trust to hear St coufcHs^! that the retd of all l. liditisn Id a liters, in endea¬ 
vouring to Improve the condition nf the poor, and comnradbg their own 
cmd* is only etpiolkd hy ilinfc of lire Christ inn xMiffliouray in hi* double 
labours for their temporal and spintual welfare. Li'l the one bnt plough 
am] the other tfqir—and who shall see the end of the mips eg ' 

*2 n 












► irunrr wutktuj *ltH iMl h,mjl **j„ 


LETTER XIII. 


M*t**th tkt*t#T nth. 

One of those heavy aquidli wfeMt ore gmmtty looked for. Hid not 
tttt&equcntly raped ei teed at this time of the year in Bengal, often spreading 
wreck pumI cabunitY about the neighbourhood of the Saud-heads, nod extend¬ 
ing thenn» probably for a hundred and titty miles tip the river, Leib been 
fliiececdcd by une of ihodo serene calms and mlrLvskiiig ntmoaphcEtia which are 
m pecmliiirlv acceptable in si climate like this, and *o delightful In our Mufus- 
suU With this little burst of tempest the rainy st cu-uji appears to have doled, 
leaving the nsimtry* which umu* ft* I informed you in my Inst, already greatly 
inundated, now in many |mrtB completely deluged. The riVer* overflowing its 
hanks, lia* in several place* linked its waters with the adjacent and 

tiiillahft, so as to render sorb portions of the country an-rtccigiiimble, and rise 
roads, even if their position can be fbirad, impiuteable for horse me in The 
first part of our journey, therefore, (for I was accompanied by my host from 
Saokss%iLr cm this occasion, wm performed upon mi elephant) 

lUephont-riiimgf though not painful, fount to a weak or sickly person be 
fatiguing hi the extreme. The pace is a rapid walk, partaking of much of 
the roughness of a horse trot, without its regularity, It is a sneee^sian of 
uneven jerks to which it requires fume little time snfiicseatlv to ncmi&tam a 
person to disregard it- Much depends, however, upon the character of seat. 
The Ifou'riiih, although it enables the rider to ait with the fb.ee forward, and 



















SE^.IL ccttOM* 


IH 7 


thna to hrtir the actum in tlat? most fnmiliiir direction, by its great dtrvatimi 
increases, of eimrsc, the extent nf motion, whEraui the scale called a 

fVtajjummit hj fitting closely to the Wit tff the uumalj, Sim Itro ymIcikt in 


its iii'iioii- 

Seven miles of tin? wind bring thus mini^pliahed through rough and 
Ttwt thj the fihufjummn wa* fr&chimgfd tor the fciddk at the village of 
Nudlee, where hnriea were in waiting for ns. The ttj^amuce of the 
country, over pleasing, w at the present time Iraratiful in an apodal degree. 
Tlie earth, nourished with the past three month* of rab, now tetmia with 
I iiiimani vegetation Every tree and shrub of the Jungk- has put on its 
brightest and noheat of greeu, and most abundant covering. Wild flower* 
of every kind diversify the hedge and enrich I lie margins uf the pciok and 
ditches, now literally carpet t ed with muk chicdtwwl and vegetation r»eai^ 


hliitg tn(W* 

A mi art ride of thirteen mUw— » mtre constitutional to a regular 
MofiiHBiililc, but always a “breather" to those out in eonstimt practice, 
brought TiB to Mulnntli, which wan partaking of that increase of beauty that 
the sewon Mill its prolific vegetable anil flariciil total productions eattld not 



liiT-'-, ft*, nfrml MJSli 


fail to confer upon it* 

Amongst other bloomings which 
distinguish the present month here, 

I hud the Kdpitf, or cotton plant, 
offering its ripe and bursting pods 
of milk-white down. The reason of 
thin, our Bengal plant, not forming 
a more important item amongst tfie 
export commoditi™ of India is, it 
uppears, its being too short b the 
staple or fibre for mniiufecttiring pur¬ 
poses. Whether, however, with the 
application of telenet 1 mid care m its 
cultivation, it might lie improved so . - 

im to add a most t* 1 cubic article to Luliuu commefee, « jittt iJie question 
now occupying Mine attention. It was tried, I am told, at Dsm; but 
without judgment or spirit, ami the- result was not very satisfactory. Its 
cultivation is illruigbt more premising on the Bombay side, where two or 
three experimental farms produced *°me wry good cotton, but at an eupenie 
tint would scarcely tempt u speculator to adthatij tn any extent. The 
article, too, ia bulkv, and consequent nn the great distance it would have to 
be sent, and the badness of rends, it* transit would be difficult and rs, pensive. 
But all'these diflRcultie*. it is believed, will vanish Iwfore tbr lal-iunqueniig 
locomotive; and whim that "iron car,” that yoke, no "red dragons’’ to its 
front, careers triumphant through the land, neither need we, in the word* 
of Hr. George Thompson, *ow years beck,—“shudder to think of having 




















1 BK 


ai'UAt Ur! l_N IICSCAl,. 


to employ a iln.miiLLul men to corn? its to Delhi in n boat sis fret by ilirtfij 
nor wilb " bullock* trudge thetr weary n ay along the jungle path, having 

cotton hchuid them on every bramble." 

Then? i* a, forest tree olso, called tlic Shunt, or the putt reituit tree, 
which flowers about April or May, and yields another description of cotton* 
Though, like the its fibre Is too short for mmiufecturinf pnrpo**, it 

is soft and iKfftutiflllly silky, and valuable for the Bluffing of beds mi follows 
Wc have now arrived at that period whim what are called “the cold 
weather sowings" have taken place; some of the fruits of which, a* the 
tobacco, mustard, linseed, sesame, having been reaped citluft licFore or about 
Januttrv, 1 have altr-aiiy shown you. Of others. which I hall not then the 
opportunity of seeing, a few are unw springing into luxuriance with a rapidity 
known only in a soil so niarvelhiitK and [imlific, IT icli and i'Lined iutlccil in 
now the clothing of the fiellk. lUft an f-iteumvc 
and drum M of the Thcl, or SesaJnB plant, now 
ftbfflrt three feet ki^h1there a lighter fWl of 
the more teidcr-l‘Kikiiig and 
** eohflT hatid I rlinr/’ already 
spoken of; its lniiix>olsited and 
delicate stalked leave* r ipdver- 
jng to the lightest airs that 
Wow : further <m are Itfids of 
ike low creepcr-LilcB hulSct** 
of which I here are three kind*, 
called 3/d*, TVcArw, and Mooph, 
differing hnt little hi appear* 

Httdft frum each other; and 
btijnud are thick clusters of EIIPK, * 

the towering ri|M! Mist a, t»r 
hemp, and more vilimbk than all, waving sheets of the ripe Aj»*n Dhm>, nr 
water rksc. 

The Ktdfices just niwnwl, two of which—the 
AMjnJidTwirtrf,—yon buvo.here ^ A 

l*Hbrc v oil, arc species of pulse, 
w hich in their marketable htate 
are colled dali-y P ind arc Citen- 
nmdj w«d m food both by man 
and beast; jlh likewise arc the 
products of two other pkuts + 
which 1 dml arc rdso called 
K ultra-j£land itfwr- 

toare ?—now under eiiltiratinii 
in the vicinity of thk place* 

Thcre is another, anil a very important, though looking little 





tikKKR# 
























CHUFF*. VKflBTiJIL* FWtoCCTS. 


iny 



Wnimisu. plant J must not Omit from Hu; sowtoji* of prescntpcrioil 
'Phi* Li :i vctell, culled Chul ilia—the gram <01 winch 
known us Hoot, or grain, formii the food of nearly every 
Imrfit- in ludin. Its cnltivatii.m in this ucighborariwod is 
very limited. Imt in the country around I’atnri, whence 


our (CTftatMt and finest BHppJics are received, it is extremely mtci^iu',—cnn- 
hiimutiun being, (if coarse, ®H»Biniis.* At this rime, u “* C ' 1 “ 

Burley arc just sown, mid bciu? tuluublo crop*, thong i on - 1 Bm 
scale, nit? found within enclosed grounds. _ „ 

Lastly, amongst the seedling* or the present month, 1 may flg*m refe 
tn t.he Mustard plant, nf which 1 have named two kinds—the Hyr and R>jr 
Sana, Of these, one yield, the Mustard of commerce, wk! 
the other (the Surstt), the Mustard Oil, a* l have already 
mentioned; and hew, having mare than once made reference 
to Oil Seed crops, is a fitting time to show you the lost 
labours connected with them—the immtier in which the ml is 
expressed—n process wherein the same primitive simplicity is 
exhibited as in nil other operntiMW amongst the poor of 
Indin, 

An oil-inan’» mill, of which the pencil will here best 
convey to you an impression, generally occupii* R* 1 mitirc 
hut, the full space luring reqnired for the " blind earner ^ o 
the poor patient, hood-winked hullock, that slowly, niid for 
three hours at a time, pursue* hi* mouoionoiw and winding 

roum; of iiibonr. . _ 

The bcnlv of the mill, termed Ghttunce Catch, is fonned 
from the .olid trunk of a I»eep«d or Banyan tree, turned or smootheued into 



ptffMh P UIT. 


• 1850 ,—Tin nrdjnuj price of pr»rn voru* fixim fcrnlmi ntniu lo nl “ IT " ,|V '' "*"** 

pur mtut, To Koot Siopli in ShcJicbail, nod (tic kilo" WsdW* ■“ UT “ r tir "Hahf. “ ■ '' 

| uf \tmi jplric* ti> alxml fJkrt ruCJ^ri } 



























■IU© IH ICAI. LITE IS nESEJAL* 


itmpe, and firmly fawlcned into the ground. The upper part, Cftlled the //^Wi 
forms 1 ho mortar p havin'; a cap nr his]Sow at the bottom, within which, as in 
a socket, the lower end of t Is r jkant t or pofltlo, works, The hnmhno hefltrdfar , 



fastened diagonally at its nide t is for the purpose of stirring the seed, and 
keeping the cup nod pestle nonuttmtly supplied with material , The head of 
the pestle is fastened into an oblong block of wood, called the ifhckka f the 
lower end of which is drawn down by rope* to n liar of wood .the omftoGMj 
made fast in a itout plank. One- end of thin plank, you observe, works in a 
groove around the body of the mid, rend the other is loaded with hag* of 
earth, or heavy Mones, in order hy their weight to press upon the head af the 
Mcd-cnttH-hing pestle. To the rank of this psth\ liu? joanl, Hi 1 bullock 1 * yoke 
ii attached,—and from this yoke, near the animal 1 s hcad p rune a liar of wood P 
or to the phuds to which it h made fiut, like a trace to a carriage, 

and by this the plonk is drawn round and the mill turned,—the whole 
apparatus bring hound together with rope and string witI a h rusticity of 
mnnuer that defies even the pencil to make intelligible. The oil rm being 
expressed mm nut from the eup or memnr through an opening in the base of 
the mith ami is seen dropping into a cocoa-nut shell—the eyes therein serv¬ 
ing ns, n forme] through which the oil is deposited iu the vessel beneath. 

And hy the aid of this simple instrument is about one-sixth of the 
human race supplied with uearly every description of oil which the twenty- 
Htith part of the earth produces. 
















n lose or the sniiti n- 


191 


r 


Chief ntsd lust amongst tlir gatherings of thin time—indeed, 1 should 
hiij off the Aeaeonj for iti mnw parti it h not cut until December,—is the 
Amlin Phan, or wider riee P so often spoken □!; which, having kofTered 
nothing hj the iminrtatiim?, b, during the present month, mnpri iitid 
stocked- 



With the +1 October rowings, 1 ' of which I have already deposed* end 
nearly ail that is noticeable in the affirir* of ilie I'totor, There is but little 
of thi* sowing about Mulnsth, the land being » high, hut in tl» ndghhow- 
hood of Sook*4gur and elsewhere it is eitouuvo. So—with the rloso of 
tuanufactnriug—of sowing—of n tones, and of rain, the Planter mice more 
feels hid liberty i mid, as 1 have told you, b either visited by hb friend# or 
Beighbonrsp or visit?- them. Amongst such ebitings which l have some- 
times Hccompmih'd my friend here, was one after a [detnrwqoc ride of 
fourteen miles, (for mob is neighbourship iti ««r rural life !l to the eut-factoiy 

of Ifoodaporo, of which Mr. S- wn* then the iMpcrintendesit. The d»y«M 

mode agreeable to us under the roof of his ctimforlublr luingulw , "liu h diJlirs 
from all other buildings of th» dm roster I have yet teen, by having n snag 
airv little room as an upper story, ill which Mr, S—— during hot weather 
had a delightfully cool bed.ri»m. Since that time lloodapure has dinuged 

hands, and tuy friend Mr. M-1 having become ite manager, mid imbibing 

the spirit, and fellow mg liic eanmplo of Mulnnth. bn* nrtublinkJ s chool fur 
the education of the poor lad, around,—upwards of one hundred and fifty of 
whom have already put tliemselve^ under Me- M s tuition, lie i* ansi cm- to 
model hi* little academy on -i.juethmc of tk pku of the I^ewtrim system 
























igg ltCrn.lL LITE IS BHXO*L. 


_io which, indeed, Bengalee schools generally, in their mode of wbolc-dAw 
teachfog, irinke tomb qquroxtinniiou. 



VrfiPinttl PtmnuTW. 


.XxtPrtihjr Mb* 

1 nx» my host at tU» time Irasilv engaged Hi improving the arrange¬ 
ments and appearance of the garden. Three -lays ago lie determined, thmigli 
with many compimctwns, cipoit felling a very largo Tamarind tree, ohiielt 
lieing too near, null Hlirouding a vurv flue spmrocn of the Sago halm, was 
injurious to it* growth, ami to that of every tiling vise beneath ita slmde. 
The gardciiei mid his men accordingly set to work on the tusk of hewing 
through its trunk,—but unfortunately the Mnhx>’» iatdligotiee for ones 
forsook him;—he omitted a rope tn the tree head to guide it in its fall! 
Hearing from a distance* sudden and unmistakable MMmd nf " falling great- 
ue*#/' I hastened to the spot—the question suggesting itself, a* 1 ".fit, 

whether the tree Lind fallen in the right direction,--Mw ■ — bW Mien 

in the iisronj—crushing hencath its gigantic arm* and rich foliage the lot 
Palm its irtitDi d was intendt-d to preservi:! 

Yeaterday morning, after our usual ride, we were superintending and 
labouring at the work of clearing Hie wreck, to ascertain it any hope existed 
of saving tlm Palm, which did not apiicar to be entirely destroyed, when 








































A CASE OF D.lCOITT- 1**^ 


jjr. F-received tiding? of worse cuttings mid (eUjngi than those of tr^u-s 

mid brtiTU'1it*>—the felling of M\ow creatures by fell mon! A tterioo« 
Bnctiity \mt\ bikcn filnec the night before at n village eallcil Ahipore., about 
four mild beiu%‘\ and m the Uimmh r or police division of liitJiccglmt. It 
occurred alKiEit twelve o'clock, but tbe intelligence did not reach here until 
tone in the morning. The bott* wore immedrntdj reWillod, mid met ruc¬ 
tions being Itfi for the doctor to follow in a pnlkee ? irc rode oil to the plut'e. 

Here was a new scene in Mofn^id life,—mo unfnrtiumt' ly too irequent- 
Wdl might the poet fieri' exdfdni 

,B 5|¥C me fixifti I hMT riflJiflicttf ib hmlc 

In vilingBB Bkmr fjir lift irrrnf H 

BUethW tiLii fin re 1 Vke itaiiu I hr jHitlinsc lm»V 

Amt dftiseci ULiitKJ npcjq itin Fillip pTifai; 

FuiV lKWI[«t [irjTti tin nitEJ- iniitidi i>lmrrw, 

A-iuL LQTBdfli ftii-y iffielii ik" AfTMiSLafi ciwuL,."* 

Tlie term Dacrnty, I should explain to yon, means a burgltty,— but 
1 114 lin .11 burglaries an; seiiUHn unBeemi) ponied by cither murder or violence; 
am l the present wm no cneeptiem to this generality, eu» we were soon utet bv 
jwciplc on tlie road who iuioruied tis limt one tit the luifurtuimto Tictiim wil 1 * 
already (tend. 

On our wny we passed n little village called Jfwteeta'*.—pwntinjj to 

whk'h Mr, F--remarked,—“ One of » couple of well-known tiacoifei 

resides there, ami it would not at till surprise me if be ha> been concerned 
in thiB ailair.” 

T. |h>]■ arriving at the place,'—11 eery comfortable, decent-tooking village, 

1 lit- quiet, rural and picturesque aspect of which seemed id in accordance 
with deeds of violence ami blood, and might have bear supposed to eontam 
little to tempt them for goilt 'ate,—w were led toward* a large brick house, 
against the roof of which a tall and freshly-cut bamboo had been placed, 
and there left, By means of this ladder, the joints of its small branches left 
ibciot two inches long to servo us steps, a gang of (it was Mid) forty nr fifty 
ruffians hurt Wihetefelv effected their entrance hy the roof into the house. 
Sounds of lamentation from within {for Oriental women are loud and vehe¬ 
ment in their grief,) filled the flir t and, on dismounting and entering the 
curt or yard of the dwelling, surrounded by fl great crowd of the villagers, 
we found the body of the murdered man lying upon n mat on the ground^ 
It was that of 15aboo Prcro Mookeijee, a very respectable and influcutud 
person—the head iiiflu, in short, of the place* The inhuman biutiw, in ordtr 
to ** squeeze " their unhappy victim, had done so literally, by ru)hn„ * 
bamboo over and jumping ujHiu his body. Internal Ugurics were of course 
tin* result of this cruel treatment, from which, after vomiting mood, am 
lingering a few hours, he died, There was a spear wound in the thigh, 

* ** TuPM binl Cuult*," Jurart Qrtqnt f&Wfo 

a c 



















m 


tumui. liw in pbnuaL. 


Biitl nto seven: gwunl-cutH,—pne Muoas the [koJni of tJie km til, and the other 
between the fingers, which had no doubt been received in m eiulriiveur 
to defend Banself. The decease* wan a very fnic-lwkmg hum,— m the prune 
of life, mack wupcetcd mid gratefully regarded in the village.—" When onr 
mitia failed" (was the spontanmn* testimony of the poor people artnuuli, 
“ bis golaha were always open to ua. We have emptied them, yet he ticur 
asked ns for money or price; now tliey have murdered kirn, and what shall 

n-L* do r 1 - ni 

We now proceeded to the upper part of the turn’ll wfcrrebedi, pillows, 

«unl ckHlii's were lying in nil dim-lions steeped in blood, Diid in QHT F^ e 
passed an uncoxtfioiDiii iufrnt, sleeping on a from which i\s pour * 
had aH*cn only to tic butchered, In lhe adjoining rnntw bij *bi. fiLcemt 
victim-n Htont and vmAMj Ant-looking man, younger brother to the 
unfortunate Pram Mookcijce. Lie had secured a *mtid, an ohl fcriuly mLic. 
and made n manful reaiEtnuce agtthwt his assailants—wounding mm* til 
them, and catting through at a stroke the staff of a spear tnmvd at him, 
fighting in short for lik life, until felled by a blow upon the head from 
a lftttey f or quwtcMfcaff/—which Is generally loader! with iron* or with 
hra^-headed nails. Hu had been left fur dead. Wc found hi* nlatittn- 
Arming a frightfully awollrsi mid aggravated wound in the head w iih turpen- 
tiup \—an application in which the Bengalee have bo ignorant ami orange 
a faith- ForhiMng what they were doing, and fiulwtitutmg, after cutting 
off hit hair, cold water applications until the doctor’s arrival wc were glad 
to And the pour fellow wa* in po^isinn of libs semes* evidence of which 
he afforded ns in tint buret of wjincthing like Wgrj reproach, which in 
subdued voice escaped hie lips upon seeing riai— u SVliat kind of Uaj is 
tlus, when such things can lie done* and people cannot go to sleep in their 
houses without being mnnleied!*' 

Xext to this poor fellow lay the third, nml fortunately the last victim to 
thk outrage,—st nephew of the murdered man's;—a yonth nljaut nineteen 
jwmm nf age* who had received a severe wonnd from a spear n.t the lower part 
or the head, which Ids relations had managed to stanch with plain tun leavo 
and cloths*, 

A snn ev uf Lhe house row showed the havoc which the savages had 11111411 ’ 
during their work of phonier, Duora, trunks and boaes of nil kind* hail 
been split open with ues, and strewed aland the floor; when at length, 
having secured their booty, thev 5 mule off with upwards of two thousand 
roopera in cash, lorid?* ft variety of valuables in the way of jewellery and 
ornament^ which they had talien from the poor women of the family. In 
their retreat they carried off the sword w hich had been used against them, 
but loft behind an axe, a woodman's heavy khoraf, and three spear s CfflO 
being the head of that which hail been struck off in the content. 

We left the place a little before Ecu o'clock—op to which time un Darognli 
nr other official had made his appwfttioe. Mr. F-therefore* addressed 
























A CAM OF flACtUTV. 


105 



o# fiiUMMU 


u mtu to tilt! inRgintmte of Ssuitipare; but amidst thru Large mob of prople. 
ninny «f course cunxtcvted with, and nil ulni tiling an interest in 
gome w&y ixi a the poor murdered man, or hi* family * iai.it a volun¬ 
tary or billing messenger wo* to bo found; and ^Ir. F - bad 
aetjudk him&elf to offer n reward us un inducement to n Man to 
carry the fetter 1 Thr von' manner in which m English unto m 
frequently cuim'd f at the end tit a split twig of bunboo, in 
reality, T bdiew, to keep it from the danger of a puking in 
fording rivers and takes* scoiuft typical of a ijuunui tine dike 
horror of the luiauTC, that may, in auc.li a ease ha thh f bring 
a calamitous visitation upon ft whole ulloget r ] he fart is that 
thc-Ad Dacdtees would appear to %c frcrjMPnt; but such in the 
dread that tVie people have, a* 1 have already told you* of a 
visit from, the Paroguh and his people, that if they can hide an 
occurrence (if the kind they will most Msurodlv do so. It is 
only when some esteemer outrage Iulh occurred ? &ueh ns this, for 
“ murder will oat/*—thnt the crime is ueeessarlly reported lo the mugtetmte. 
The only reason aligned for thi^ thing* not oectirrliig in the houses of 
Europeans, u the far greater nmse and rxdtemmfc which would immediately 
iLud certainly lie creuted-^cndzvrigeriiJg not only full detection of the perpe- 
t iiU-tir-*, but the safety of their whole fraternity, ^o very great compliment, 
you will say, to Ourselves I 

This morning we again rode to the accrue of the IhiraitY, where wc found 
the Darihgah and his men, The former appeared a very respectable intelb- 
jgetat lawi—one who it was difficult to hrlug the mind to suppose could be one 
of tliut corrupt body 1 Irnve eo frequently abused. There are csccptious, tin 
doubt, to all rules, and this, it is pCtofljfe* may liuve been one. 

Whilst engaged talking with the Durogah on the liatuc-top, he suddenly 
stopped i e tfl lsimnig ,—■*' Tlierc'i Mudiireet—he bus had a Irniid in thus, 
and hastily stopped down. The very mm/* said Mr, I > ,L 1 telling 
you of! **—directing my r attention ton dirk and powerfully- formed tnan, wilh 
short blade heard, and drspmtdy ill-boding couisierumiic, who with all 
iin&gihabte unriiiRH—the cries and nailing* of the bereaved widow and other 
Female relation n ringing In his earv—was walking about the court of tin- house 
below ; hinds behind Mtn, and his whole di nieanoUT that of an mqam- 
tsve and sympathising neighbour, wlaa had stepped in to enquire- to lament* 
and to condole!—In a few momentJi Blnekrireard was on the ground, ■ 
piniotkcd prisoner ; pa w-a* also a seems d and yet more rascidlywisugfid fellow, 
w ho with MndtLree had Ijccu nxugnitcd by one of the wounded men t and had 
frith equal audit city, and at the some time, ventured into the prv miaes . Fwu 
other men, also, Imre been found lying wounded in a neighhooring village+ -o 
tli ere see in ^ everv probability of tins hmtftl outrage not eutug im punished. 

* (luiiiiitc ■ iu< »uli4«.]ujrtiitj]r numrEtd (bj pnenEpfll in ttm ThM.’uitj). lmcs'd al kliiini.il ll"ir. 
WbiSrt Oil IhK tnflgti Jm? uiiL--’lf it hM wA \m S-r F- Sakik, J *b*M Ht*l kiw b**n 



























JUUAIh MIK IN 


1 IK* 


Ifamti&fir I&M. 

A bright and beautiful sky, added to a delightfully serene atmosphere, 
tempted ms tit an early hour to walk abroad this morning. Taking the road 
by the river fiitle,—'* Mulnatb drove," ns L Lave taken ijn mysdf to name it— 
my attention wm directed tu a horse upon the other aide of the river, grazing 
oii the low hank at the water’s edge.—’* You're as venturesome as the poor 
Jilliu*Wallahs | thought 1) ; lmt not duiming their exemption, you'd hc«t be- 
wnre of ymir heels t”—At this moment, ti nt-i-rh from amidst a group of stray 
horses, prisoner* and village ponies, almost at my elbow, aroused tUo careless 
jjvHZer. lint mind—I m not upon my oath as to the precise eh arm-ter of that 
neigh. 1 do tint pmfesa tit he so learned, or so nice ol ear. us to determine 
whether t!i l' sound partook more of what we might assoeiate with the snorting 
charger, the rude and firry wur-st. t d, or with the gentler feminine nature of 
my lady’s ambling genet. 'Ttfiir enough—he was a sueiui horse; and all 
the terrors of the Keli Quint ter, and the danger* of the Hellespont, wut. 
alike indifferent to him,— 

ai 1 ’ilt fin.} (it; eer'J n-H ^ei!* u. bwklk/* 

for them all,—he would not grow iw solitude: and straightway walked into 
the water. “ Ah mu!” I tnvnluntarily t'MJlalmed, standing frill, "that neigh 
has undone ye 1"—mid so thought a group of poor villagers now watching 
l,js fate. Scarcely had hr got. twenty yarils from the shore, when the long 
hlurk head of an alligator mu seen to rise little more than a? tunny feet 
from Ida mil I Ala*, poor horse—you’re im better than carrion now I Hut, 
hnpjiv nneouscioumiees! hr knew out death wa* at hi* Imids, anil MuaiJi w ith 
all the vigour and cheer of life before him, ,f Unr do thy speedy utmost, 
Bobbin, Dr you’ll conic worse off than Turn's mare, for hair is indigestible, 
and i host - dreadful j»«« wilt never be contented with thy tail—long u it 5*. 
But nun the hurrid brute gained upon the poor horse, and the t'bfttc was no 
longer a jesting matter, but a painful right. The beset was close upon Lis 
prt v. due shot would have driven him to the bottom,—but the hou»e and 
ihat help were too far o|T. What I lacked ill gunnery, however, the people 
around me possessed in experience. 11 ith many amiahlc minds, cirri in the 

l,j_|[, t. Rut I mm: ninnry In torn hi lie vitl*c*i prat llutahli, anil if Jim *>N l’— 

Sdiib i., euEIcuE it. h- will, 1 Dih .me, i|» ». uiJ ire it glirll Ut n.j fninily. Hf "■ » K IK "1 . . - “'" l 

I kr. ,w ILM win m ihim kii.illy OrPitJ " Thr wirtAhl Chipfit drdej 111 * [irawllt (OllfJrJ-. blit utliuw- 
IhIl-h .I iu thia* nr hnir juttUihiIj. HuriiLZ thn eiaiitiuii of tie rar^uit, wbirli *»*, of em, «ohi. 
hlii-l mill UM | Ml) .m,in|ifaM, lbs sadufjiy wifi and ••« amt to Malmtb, aad * aail ami niarM 

rtrrn.hi.n it !<• lie lmilil Ash* was sWablo .. ft fnutnrr, >M tbr Minhrij foiiUiln# aspraaNan 

iB J | K iI 4 dnnaannnr nf lie fc? Tie messir-a "I UuJliM't o«»rl. I my a&m. Mnolmlid 

iu hi! upliLuni, but for Mr. V—‘i praamc*, at ini neat is Hat mailer, cjibtr ai> iSuri 
nil vudd iwrt ha*T been rime fur iu apjirbisAa^—or n B*k .Lilfitullj bare eiiilnj is tlie nij 
of III rii'npp. 























TUB ALUQATOft DUTEATEU. 1^7 


t-jvilixi'd or edncateil worlil, l fi-nr it would tmve Ikxu a drawn qunatifni 
between humanity nnii tlm W uf sport— wIr'IIh-t the allvgttor ihonld go 
without hm breakfast, or the tiorae his lift;—but ihe» ptMe nDagW* had 
enougli. of ,f My Untie TobyV’ ilinpositiim in them to lean to tin' weaker 
Hide. Albeit the poor animal lielonged to none of them, but was indeed the 
property of the poor fool, the philosophical beggar of Hufaatit, and liad 
been transported to the other side of the river heraiue hr wu» in «otoe way 
n trouble upon thiu— their sympathies went with hint, aud they instantly 
set up ft shout. You may wonder to what end— what good ? The neiffh of 
a tlmoBmd horses, ur the yell of so many jackals, I bctfrvr would have done 
«o good} but the alligator, at first loo eager to be thus baffled, or to relin¬ 
quish ptirnuit of bis fast-winning thnse, now, in another moment, after 
another shout, stopped short in hi* career, mid with one inure err from the 
hank, to my astonishment, fairly turned tad t Fifty Millie ritil's, and as 
many of Colt’s revolvers, ad levelled together, Wd not more effectually 
Imvc sai eil the poor We llum the cry of th. se half dor.en poor peasant*- 
nor half «u strunglv ^pukcu ill evidence of the supremacy of that being t" 
wham Gnd w» pi eared to grant by intelligence » dominion over the fish of 
the sea, the fowl of the air, and every creeping thing that creepetb upon the 
earth / 1 


Justii the c iu1 of " the Grove/ 1 facing the little market 1 have mentioned > 
ahd within a few feet of Alligator ghat +l k the Ferry, A nirte afla.r i* a 
Mafuflflul Ferry-boat. It in nothing mure, in 
short* than a couple of common Diugcei,, or 
fislienufin's ho&U p lushed witli a 

platform of plunk* over both* oivcrtil with a 
bed of straw and earth to afford 0 tamling-room 

for horses and cattle when crossing, This particular ferry-boat lining the 
property of the Factory* is of course always nr nibble for the M iter's iw-e, 
but at all other times the boatman pLifc* hi* craft on \ik unis account, and 
charge half a pee for the parage, 

1 am reminded by thiU Ferry, and the picturesque and shaded spot uyon 
the other side* its place of disembarkation, of an accident, not less scriniin 
than eitraunlinary, which bcifct my respected friend there since my first 
visit to this place, and had nearly robbed Muhiath of its muster* and the 
poor of their friend and bene factor. listing ocenaioii to travel to a distant 
□nt-’tiUion, it chanced upon the morning af his journey that he mounted a 
new saddle and defensive ftuultUM hcldoging to it, recently received as a 
pft, fie had crossed with his hor&e by the Ferry* and was in the net of 
adjusting in his holster otic of the pistols, ere mounting* when* hy some 



I r u n r iulf, 































l‘J 8 


strut tmr is ntstiALi 


DccUeiit, tlic tdggsr to cmigla-ihc weapon fired—u4 the ili«thflrgwl bail 
tttti'rin" ui l.be ri^lit hiile cif the Htomachj and passingdown tlirfitlgli liw body, 
lodged in the Wek of Ihi* leg jti*t above the ku«f! Tlmt lie was nut takes 
up drarl , von will iliink marvel Ions enough; hut that, with no metUea] aid 
Trithin thirty miles of the spot, he should have recovered, you will think fiir 
more w, Picked tip immediately, lioirevcr, hv the people about, lie wa* 



k Ltf P if Sllh .FE D 111. 


named homo, There, must fortunately, out friend Mr. S. [the " Koumeer 
Sahib*'} was at the time buying- It wm then eight in the morning* In- 
Rtimtly m miming a hum, he galloped off toward a KhduinghiiTp which place 
lie reached in thretf hour*,-—cniiirami] rated the intelligence to Dr. A,, who 
almost immediately mounting his horse, joined him in his return journey, 
diid the two riders actually reached Midnnth by two o'clock in the afternoon ! 
Mr*. S. (Eihaiiiitedy and hysterically excited) had thus ridden risu miles in 
six hour*, a feat in hiicsemanHhip mi pun an Indian Miiff day , he it remem¬ 
bered f I which 1 think would nut he considered a trifling one eren b a 
limeitig clinmte, and by thoer who profess to do such thing* fur wagers. One 
hardly knows which the must to admire*—the herculean task of Mr. S. or 
the skill uf the doctor* who after at least half such a ride was capable of 
instantly performing a delicate and important surgical operation,* 

f I bSa-_ CnrraU* the udj-bl^ » r -d iRmraiLg.aHREnral ridikfl ly Mi. S. b bii tcmljlfe j'RjrnK j, broka 
Ml *ium La tlgbt lidmll., Mil wu hctet «plil rtflsu &1 m lmri far *w Jim m fna 

q.turtA» Kt Af»<lnpiTT B M didiljTP ^nd griiuldiUiJnu. 


























V DANttEItOim At'CIDHST. 


Some time previous to tluar arrival, my friend's Hearer. endeavouring to 
afford his wounded, and, ns it was supposed, dying Master relief, to gently 
tdumi| toning his limb*, whoa ho suddenly cxelniim-fl “ 01), sir. 1 ve found 
t1, e iwlli" —«1iw1i, producing a slight protuhernnci! ftt i lie back of the leg, 
6ure dUDugli lie hail done — a* it was tbinee, upon the Due tor’s arrival, cut 
out. The extraction of the hull, however, was liut a small part of either the 
patient's cure or suffering. Portion* of flannel and. tinea carried in liy the 
shot, in id which were not all extracted for unsay months afterwnria, hod, 
Edition to the serious injury done by the ball in its course, prodneed so much 
inflammation ami suffering that full twelve months elapsed ere complete 
restoration to health was effected. 


y a wmt*r at/*. 

# 

Willi Mi sketching in the Crave yesterday morning, my ear eitught the 
familiar sound of" Mnhood"—and. turning round, found my «W friend—or 


us he, with his eu-vuh turned vivacity and happy conkntediLCas, fiimiluiriy 
introduced bhurelf- — 11 TuMitharn fifty hi gifiHM," {“ Voitr Fool J— prolnum } 
sufaming at my vide. As usual, lie Imd been in gn.’at troulile t'ery 
trouble, — and now he wanted service! VTluit noviffl, anil what wnr < u e 
know? Oh, he knew no work;— all that he wanted wa» some pface in 
which there was no other work than to sit and to praise Qoi ; ^ ut ^ ltV|1 1 


l?i wurrt, 




























200 


at; hal life t\ den gal. 


observed) lie was a rich hj^tj— the owner of a horse. Oh 1 that was not hi* 
Uursp— that was GwVs harso S lf Yon ■«" (ho replied to the question m to 
hck« lie came by it, laying down Li?* staff m usual, ami assuming the quiet 

gravity and tone of voice of one relating a matter in coiihdeuceJ t s ^®-> 

of A ki pi ire, where the Dacoity took place, gwo it me for SiotVy sake. He 
promised me, if hr escaped, he would make me a present , and l was to pmv 
for him. So when it vm^ all over, he gave me tlvi^ horse l hot vrlmt use 
have I for a horse !— No, that i* God h hara/* iffld this, yon w in be prepared 
to bear, was his pious theory of the animalV escape from the alligator. He 
laughed at the idea of an alligator being able to injure a ti ovm that tmd l»cn 
an oGcrinf to Heaven I 

Vhi-H title-,, it is believed, was true- O--■ B—— P strongly suspected 

at the time of Wing instigated the Dncoity from motives onsing out of an 
uld family feud, was tried as being /wi riirepx criming in the iSkte? and with 
all the depth of mpmLitipn pertaining to bis creed and doss, fostered in 
ignorance, and now excited by feani, he had been content to seek the aid of 
tiiis poor Fukcer, as a supposed religious mendicant, albeit known to every 
little boy in the village as a madman. Tie h evidently greatly improved, 
however; is far more quiet—cleaner in his appearance j and with thc^c 



Hiniii'* 


iniproruincm^ there seems td*o an amendment in Ida worldly affair*,—fur 
riding round the lake this morning, and parang through the village of Finch- 
jjottah, where he now resides, we shopped at his hut, and found him the 
possessor, nut of a useless bur*c p but of one nf the finest cows t have tem in 
Bengal. 





























CLC DUfO H P UAllKfi ‘ 


201 


Mv stay at Malnath » drawing to a clone, and wit], it I have re*™ to 
beUetc, with regret, the last of my truly grniifying trips to its «IW flbwk 
_i C s healthful atmosphere—its picturesque scenery—agreeable Utc ant 

SSSrSU-^ "^1 ^ and most *-*«■ 

“1 sufliLut. idthout air! from the natural charms of the phu. to remh r 
vcrv delightful. Mow ft* I may hare conveyed such an nnpremma oi the 

plaw, and its associations to year mind-or ^V^iut^VLaw not. 
mit fiiiQ to tlwlwhidi 1 Wa rtepenmerii m nhout , 

«!. . *, *»«- -“.s.'MSS 

uSea^d ourwltea—or eicitoi our own intent, must create a liht tali g 

to—irob of Om.r-bvM cl to. W "™ 1, 

the shadow—the pleasures of our own eapenenee, od the mire 

have erhansted every sub-tam* and shadow sdBo-rauaaeked 

te&&3Ssi3 »3 

c “oi“s-o -o.-- 

L ? „ rrtUTiru ted with the affections- There » hut one spot- milred, 

5S2JTS s •‘sse^-ts 

-.«* »■ «r-,“ ^jjsrs 

s---‘r-nii-it - i- 

tumors of the gomh U i- ^ filIttl 1tATE , however, of the 

n0t '^ fStartTrf the place 1 cannot resist the temptation of glancing at 

r^ - ^tri^rjs5:=s 

tlinu to interest the ft-elmgs when found. U » aairM ™ 

rf a. w. ^ -n* ^ 

toJSKitok L»to. U*.«-»M - *£ «* 

Hississ': 

rbr-pm^or vet further deepens the shadow, and screens the ■ »tur 

ofZ(Z from L diverge from the gr^ J*-* 

and the delicacy which gmded and guarded the mgem ladrenglc, 

this chaste tribute to the affectum*. In the centre of the q g . 

fj r» 
































2 m 


RURAL t Trn IX HEX GAL. 


around which are beds of flowcr-phnc?^—jasmin^ Mid Email cypn?*H trees p 
and neatly formed piitlin,, h tt Tomb. It bear* the fallowing inscription i— 



BAtTILIfll TO THl". MAHOUT Of 

CHARLOTTE, 


TFrR I 3 EARLT BLLGTXD WIFE OP 


JAMES FORLQNG, 

P‘ r iw thi 11 nr T^rirrcMiirm 1 K2u r 

AXE glifcP OF THE 1£TH MARCH, 1144. 


1U ALL Tim El 1}REF QUALITIES HiF A WtFE A*P HQ TilER 81]E .iDDLLl A 
j_< l it 11 t f. <ir tHFnjTPW tsTi intmm nr pissrwrrtQF. seldom 
FqrALLTU f AX 15 fE.lLllAJ’A ***** XXfTUSIim, 

to *e£tb aim *A¥I 0 UE SAIO 

11 ton TI BLAIS E El n r nr FATflEiu 

rxnEsri im KlFGPaH FtUMxn *nm tul -, 11 


Od the reverse Httlc is the brief tut emphatic Scriptural motto :— 

" St- STILL AFD 1FQW THAt | AH am " 





















COM'!. ITS ION- 




Encircling the base of the tomb sire kill freshly truJlfd flowm—for I find 
upon observation that they nre renewed daily ; an offemig—wbrtlier regan e ( 
ns a tribute of affection, or one of deep from those to whom Mj 

kindest of mistress had endeared he^lf-alike gratifting to the eye and 
the mind of all who are in the genial rank, of those that ro^mco m the belief 
or the experience of those women 11 whose price is nr n me rn l “ 

0 „o whoso - husband’s heart doth safely trust in to"- who «A * 
good and not evil nil the day. of her Life "-who ope.mthher »oa*J*h 
wisdom, and in whose tongue U the law of kindiiras — whose chd 
arise up and call her blessed—her luisbnml also and l,e pruneth her 

With that genial corps, how happily you, my dear Sisters, m whom the 
heart of oar dead Mother" seems yet to brcathe-living 
none other in vour so., npon which to found my creed, and confirm my 
faith—have ousted me the fulness nf gratifying sympathy. 


Belie vc me, evru vubb affectiosat£ nnoniEB, 


L. 






























JtttlEt OfrJ*, rtlfTIU, JiJCU 1 . P LkTUl,'*^ 











nmiiairflB oirum the svilial I'ATJLDjtAS* or TtLE 

vtost noble the ooTONowaaniitAt *■» ™* hunuluuble tile 
uuht mjttJLi- oouhT or lhilectoes. 

A FULL EiUKGTH POETBAIT 

fi# nu LArt _ 

RIGHT REV. DANIEL, LORD BISHOP OP CALCUTTA. 

Evratri In Lke IImil itfli <tf Mtnrtute «sd Esijraiinj. tj 3b. J. Uilo*.\ Lamklk 

Silt £S Judin bj 14. 

PiKjnii..15 

Puuit*..* * * u 


Critics] Notices. 

3SrSEs srsirs " 

t^***-^**** 1^1. ■»*«« 

!*J b — diJitffi f r 

±Wtt 

Ji nALF LENaTn FOaTBATt OF THE 

REV. JAS. CHARLES, D.D. 

**&* ***** * *' J * Pf * i *"*' VaL * tSJ 
JLH 4 I Till 

LATE BEV. W. H. MHKLEJOHN, D.D. 

(i.jt, a»fB. jflMfiur tf ■*- J»Jnir'< Kir*. 

■ -tt-ih rntatliiTT OP nil. HtV. DB-r Pff i lTitt t 

****** * ™ 10 m few to, Wto the I»*.UA 

Uihu|in|ibta bj J, K. LiJfl. B.A., tens H“ Ut 1 


Each . , , 
The Eta 


.IK 0 

. m , 1.U 


Critical No tines, 

r SiSSS=i£CiK3r--" m 

^ “3*^j£sis: 

Lun (. it* in - 1, liiml—IteiB th. pn*« ■*«**~ " 

hunting—in true, (n nutlrnt, i* Ks frpmwW™. “* ' 

_“ A oqil itrilhf poxirsll Ml Dr, ^JtlilquIuL, t 'xrv u>i 

fij^LiniUii fi!A«AR»i Sl-isi* & Co. 
































i r ah JST. TUB AUTIat, 

k THREE-QUARTER LENGTH PORTRAIT OF 

GENERAL LOR® GOUGH* G.C.B. 

mwvM “ «* Tjal hr » ■ emg*» PUtc 10 

PoftniL lif 

GENERAL SIR CHARLES NAPIER, G.C.B. 

PfUUE m ^ 

Qr p Tm Earn—FtAur * *« - ■ - * M 


Hotlcfla of tba Portrait of Lord Qaagk 

___ « A me** fcliifci - 1 ® 1 **"* 

_» a v^ry iuppEifcfbl fctkeBMM -of tt* mtcrMii 

*Brii H njcd toplot rfudl, pud tl»' f -J** '* ** *««* M ” * S "’ 

_ .1 m thr ttoi bt o«f « W *iU prowa of W, 0 ^ ^“ " *«**> *' Et 

a fthiiful"— Ivfia* Tima, 


Hotices- of the Lithograph of Sir Charles Napier. 

_ _ - Thu to in *J.LrU, dunri*r. uni fidrlltT. ibr nrj Ui‘. of Mr, Gmnti fluay EinrUenl Portnit*.- 

/to./ura 7rrail. 

__ u A icrj- KiiT¥n1» kiJ ipirtlwS. litiuLEM of tin: CtiaoimLtLdnr-3D -C3^ief, ,, 

— 14 Thai u a *Uti3»til ttkrani—Mr. Ihduiwin Laj redded tbc pcmfe of lk nrigiu*l Farinit”— 
tVttJM $t*r„ 

--« Tk Uicno* Ji nhairtlW^Mrf */ /«*#■ 


XjlTHQtrAAFHXC SKETCHES 


THE PUBLIC CHARACTERS OF CALCUTTA. 

Br €. Cea^Tp 

rnpipririnc irjiwTUhJii sf niibrly Fninii SihkfiESitJ, pnlffiibu! m t 5 i« H Iadl* K«rie* r n faJln Mi'iHrd. 

«t■daitta 3ili aLHIt uul IkumL Spoflifta Jcon-nl-. 1 ' ihc “ Calct.lt* CkrUtlin OknmsC «wt 11 Inti* ^ portly 
Rrffkw" Ffom IfeSS In Inii-a. 

Iluyil Gtd.* dotk- E*. 10. 


Cileuitn a Tkacio, SfUE, * Co. 























ES THE PRESS. 

Second Edition of the Companion Volume to " Rural Life in Bengal," de. 

TkTflBMJ UlJ Elllfijrgtii]- 

ANfiLO-INDI AN DOMESTIC LIFE. 

liEITXBK fftOK AW Aatur O IwtiiA TO HW MOTILEB 1W ESGLATD, 

Iim/UHr, of Jnflo-Jndim IWriir Life in CnlMtln, nwJ 3t*i,*t*l fy npmtA of IM tilicpqfiie 

fir.ili'rft^r '» l‘\* k.-f, 

Bt Til* Airmen of "BifiAi. lira dr Hwncax," Sc. 


Critical HoUcm of the Firrt Edition, 

CMmtfa Ciriftinn Jdiutalt. * ' * "Thn M0M biwtinei be. encoding * <1*7 iB FMrutit, 

nJ tifa* bertii «w *11 tiitcowwiudy Wmn to in Asglu.lndUii bwtss. IV l' 1 ' 11 * « i ;t k tgtre ^* 

p«„. Hid M nqdn-, oil tin FifU idjM-ti ^ 1^7; dh-Arriptiml*. iuiUi . w* / 

whilst il Ml fclmito of ftwimnl Jijtftnwia j *nd thin m bio iencgfnwy ctmblii Jr«» iLe wnecr Ril«n “A 
147 pw ■*<! “ "““7 c«ri*i tk- reader Flung will! Mm u bee would Ola lew* whom V <* “• 

PUfj^Liro, - ' 

Cmlentte Rerir*. m ' * “'Altocrther, wr Ini trpOO Uill work *>ml ■flpLwHlo" let *1"^ 

Ir itian liter*™, out1 -ritat* P«4lrt tb* K*B1 It nM » t rajn*ny » > tho ndU ^n 
jn England to mhm a Will V Kilt. 11 Jwrattan. twill ce.eitribl.te to lit fltonn of (hot rqiotoltoii -tod. 
Mr. Grant already feirueil h in jtftiiL^ 

WWtoun. * • * -Hotting bos 1*1 Wit [mhUttul, OH,not tic tenet clubonte liwvel. 

of tilled tearioto, which ewn nnwy to 1h» Engttih render •* «**» nd * rr,ultc • «oiiu« «the ei*ry 7 ‘ 

Mi count rjmtn in Tengri u tfcae Riel Mia LMuro no iwl tlidr «wto|iuijring ielter-rre*. 

h«n Jim*.. ‘ ‘ — H Cannot but ba o enofL iotcniting little pteKDl to era? oo« wb" 

,1* cdmutoRA Of O fric.il el hn-c to 1,ir pi*™* or bU,*.; «l *» tel 

of „m ttoTnli be gc.l nraptobb, to oil «rb. .bn it - n- cdteH. tboto. InwcCteW, "Uim lb- 

lirtiliulJ of qhf Itulijtfl damklka, mejlI kmllufiiii* Lb a w ^ rTt: T 1|J uUr C 

Anfibln, * * 1 <■ A work of .v oiriiiii7 ioteiat, «u4 ••*« wUlilrf for * prewot to fiiso^ it 

bone. Tl« tort h i Djhi, plunul. ttouijmig drtoil ot Ml the J "T*’ “nbf 111^1 itontAiti! 

life .,1 t’olcnlta, aod il Si plttUfuDy UJwltetcd by ctumrt tnd «nhM ilrowins* of tb. «" ,. 

Ltriboto to L eomf,^ or Uc iLwVt of ^ in tbi. UeA mi oocongeiri clto^ 

■‘To Ml who U« fricode in Engbtod wr iirtiimnmd tine litite 

" * U la ibanmftly ™U1 ni 


CiftmUi 1 filar. 


inralubte preaent. Tb« prat hM been nteH* m ito l'™ie. * * * l* '•* ib “™“ - ^ ^ 

cbuutrr, tod will C*>t more li B bt on tho «*» “d cwtonu:i of CMcntli Haul uy band- flo 

met inih.' u 


fnW Mi 


■ t, 1* * lieimpliun of lie olg«ii wldrb «rc intot lilriy to rifft. 


i"2LrihrfT"in ray md hnmmont itylc, nod illuriimU-d by ibrieUrt of ftM f^o »u't truth 

P S. . ^ « .1 .■!_..._V^_ L=hl. ... urn ■ oi.il lUtoinil. TflCl HI 


ir»Wwnrb lor the fidAlily of m* of ^e'rteicto. Ultb b> ^ 

mtoutir or I'riraltt .wiely mU mlcftotfUJie *«™y. ***'F**‘ ul '* 

irffuh dlKb ire frfpjt lM L ” 

flAfii finiette- ' * * —^“ #ritm b * pbrani. My tejb. * ** d 

fret nnJfftt-iuv >* «mhfr, WiJ ( . . mill Of frirottol. *« full oftblteriM. n*.^ JJJJ 
work i. m n-y r«pcce wall got wp, to4 w» m* e^iml.omLy ~n*d el A * bh- 
twilfi fop Ibdick, d uJ a tnoil ftccipiAWi- p«init to friend* it buiBF- 11 

CJctiUa 1 Th*««. 0TIK1, A Co. 4 Itembty: TltoCM., A C«. 1 WmIb# t W. TlLLtun A Co. 























AHOLO^HINDOBTANEE HAND BOOK : 

Hi, 

gtatqo'f Stlf-Intofniff vA tfnfot 

m rnunqi^lAL isn Ml!HC*STili B™®®™ wlTI1 111L 51T|Tli c ' r lSI1LL 

r-T He.tJit Oust Euwiut Gttuain&w. 

C^TISTS,—FaDT T- 

rX VoenWorii-'!*^! uenaonul Jtaerijrtln ar EriilaiislorT N T «Uk. 

Hi^SSSiSt «f *- Ttan-W, ol Mk *Uk BM- «f *■*“ *™* ***• *—* 11,141 

iT.-mkr or tt. --1 ««- »**.■*£" in,i ft,liT ^ 

Ita Uhindcr.Oaab 0 t.Md mi ^ —■* of “■#** lbElj U,J 

HbcelliuuM Tiitei, mill ><LLcr ltnni q{ r*cfr.L |ofnirEin!is.n. 

Jit LL 

AK All Glams dqobtakee tocabulamc INDEX i 

wTif * mmiinRii tjrpn w tui .mw-mhw™***** , ** l> " f ' <ll?l l!ni 

Hu Two Pirti ruraura otu thlek #H„ ISma. (90S ptf** 1 , h°«i"l “ Hl - ' *■ 

Critical Polices, 

n, alattm Smew. * * * "ll «*» l li l«<W* . WtM» mtideme liuili. to gin obj- hut ■ ■irj 
gno=l ^ of O..MM ****** * tb. 1 M* mi fori} pM «■£ J 2 
hrt * t iut. a i-nmour «r th« iHigugo. whtab aeon. U. m to hr oliH]il' bJnl good. , ! hn “ c “" 1 

ii£S£EZ Zt th. v.liLiur, «*. of wh.at I. rt,M o -VcafcU™ fa*n* Tlu* u ~o.pl, « 

Ei.K-i.ol. ni llinio.™ Ukuooory. -1* nfan™ *"■*»“ to «“ h uI li,e fu,tu " 1 '.^ * ^ 7? 
„ u _. o( s!lr tn£ijr«<l to which ml warl irf*«. Till, .irita Hi u I if Ilf to |TO’« «T lo # 
v tvtiiian Mill. u it ii*», .1 with » Dirtioinrj «4 u ludn to lb* mj TOftad wntnit. uf tin ftnow 
Li «f the HulM. It 1. ilM LutenpemiJ **1. OMMiiiiiaJ Attubtian. «t Ik* mi? doun bn i*Unl-o 
L.. mhicrti of iiilmit. wiiitli. ooBtoin * tmlj urpriwig ouniuol if infcroirtiim n » »«*? ™ u * t " u1 ' 

. i • Tin notJctu of till {TJHiiT, uuJcf Lin tnifiri rnoinr. p-yod*. f.«. p>. ^ fop*'- ,lllt[ ' !! U J"’ 
liniUtl, good, EOBUlDing » Tin M nr railj oirfol iobnnlicm In * wotaliiwjl, cdukui V i-J fnniL 
AUjocelIie* w. nfnnl the ' ii)|£lu-HiailmUni Horn! B*.! 1 » • wjji. 

ft, Fnc*.! rf /«**• - Kb kn MO »», mkMSj am tliio work. . Uu*k dumlpcono wlmoo «f naif, « 
tlainm.1 .*4 how uUnrm o*u ■ work in -b.rt th« Wurtbj or 111. conpllii *o ^-.u.p.cuvoo. 
m 1 ha ctiotcckoc of th* raJm liu hen to Mtit&uWni, ptwiJbJ fur, It out tmlf conLouiJ e«r, liinir 
■hkk a moiffrf t. Iriilit ran lit Jtoiuua uf kouwing, hot much lb»t will pnan istotisttuig uid uuUunm 
to Uj&h wta Lum lo«g hsiIs 4 in wuitrj. w , . 

n f lklh* ti***tl* " An Ir-ih^lEkiiliiiUni IM-lkiik remindi mm of llrt of 

w ]j, j La ] i a ■ Eufi3it« »4r/ w&m ysiu Hff® Mil to Upd all lint iffiiiE, itut j im 

(u wttk b p«li H- Immjo TU b i irpiPtQXT ^ th(bwtiu> ^Iu-hJ ir^ 

■B g.-i iriiis un kiE kiiiia intcmlaiif (mil wfal to lb* N’o u lliryl ^ h ; 

#ill «m«il 11 mibwaij i kkJ If tin minion W n^t «p«% •&***&, «*“ 

^ ifa? jinlillc will *Jjbr *hh» lb an lb* m-pitiilLr^ 

n, r-fmffj OfM™ - * * m u Cftry Llrptft^iLi □* iluEk ill* «m|^r im 

1 P L.„ A[„1* %W A Lot uwfdT 4 bJ*BHfe tut dimnlralin*. mUwpAhtirA U^etbur « Hi*u ur bfcnftitt* an 
* . . p ■ . 11._1^4L In Ir.il.lit JlTh \\t -KUflkWljf MEUI21- 


tlHidtL Ifcibjirt tif importiim Ui Um* onJbg * guubi ju lniLi *t Lu IpJ+mI life. 

lucu L ibe worlc Ip onf itkdtTir” a * , , tv 

Tfa I ^Satu Xerrsmj CA nniri>. " U 11 mun thMLIe u uf l - iiri ^V™ 1 * Wuliid 

(rail Dtie W M 1 |I[IDU P ml wEft, if nlbukd: Bipla be msirp g^mily ttiJ sium ujvlbintf <£ tlie kunS Hail W 
I^KmrtJ fur jrari 


CiktttlH THACtiE, Sr^Ka k Qv, 
























fattl EJititm, mtod »!>J wbracJ, t. On* Vatar, Sra., ffiortiateil by C»pp«r.p!*t« ™t 

lillrngnph^i Bfl1 ^ TCooirtU*, JiTiCi £2 

A MANUAL OF SURVEYING FOR INDIA. 

Bt iLuoiifl B. Smtoi j.wd L. TfroiLiiEUp 
usauAi. ATOim- 

P/rniprtf jfoi* flf Eft* of rti- jfrfwy 2JqwJ^r*f t ***^ W* Jaunty v f tk 

OimrwmtMi *if faifi*. 


TLLa T^ 4 i*ljTfi WDFlt m'kmxK ijy tbs rum [fim ttf aw rrery LiiiUiiiidaii jBquiii^ U f ° rm 

Snnryor. £rwn ilia Ant ndtaMU to too unit dbtrou formal*, M «Wm Ite pram* ^ " 

Ihr ihptftattt Aunt ut^nfatblKd mid admin khu**, ttf &*»* 10 llipir 11 tlWp ^ of ^ 1 

JtRjfcwinil&l ulQlCflt- 


table of content*. 

p*w L—OffiMfijr CM offliiaito to BmqUg, 

nh«K. i, DdbUiwi, fc.-a- TbMr™..-a. P«u«i.-*. Writbm.-Y THan—hjr- 

ll Meiliunthni «f Ftartfc-7. UteftJ I’tnUtnw mi S«^«£ 

IlSuiiLrBlal hj J£!l WoutlanliL 

I'*»t 11.— On Surryiy Intintaattt—tMr M/uitmtti and I'm. 

Chip,. 1 to C. Iliktrumonti used in Slurrying—7 ond B, llnhemutW and IurtlWiHiiitt 

9, I uni romcnli fur Plotting 0 Surrey.—10. Ilarmticlcra. 

lILiuiinixA lijr 2 C<i|ili«r-pUtco nut dfl V imdtnti. 

I'iHt ill .—Qrn Swrttfity 

ComimmoB in tw«ity.«rm olujrtm tU nutito Fnutico of Surreys h W<*J Hu*. ■"**«* *“ «** 
S..UUIE «mird out I; U» pent Tii»m*w'H«i and A-m-'* «»«?* '* *?“■ 
llluilrtted bj 10 E*£rm<du£* (4 MauredJ ild ^2 V* 

?A1LT RVOfl ffcr /Liir^rtfAp at JfoWw fp>W JlfiWfUffl/, 

ri.tp l. mMinry.-S KaJr of Vtetoft&CMfc, font.- 4, No> and 'lido ofCnndjodlw. 

_j. jLal Lnuit IfeaLu a*d Madr of Hadncmg Uorir to Sqnun OrU.^iajilij- ° f **** 

Nuuo, StaLiatier, te- IBo^d bj 11^ 

r.tnT y—Practical Jitw.aj and Hi J/yiUmtiim to An9%. 

Clim. L Mullluuu, kt-—i to 4. Prt.rniiBlllinu of IU Efto' ‘I'd JUm nr . Cbirn.oondtr.-S. 

B f oJLinrt« Timr to Solar m,.l miitnl HmL-0 »d 7. MbhuT 1 c ^ 

ttiTs nm.T Mark, and Mode ol Hading 111 " Vnrialkiil of t!ie Nrtdie—t. Mrihudi ol ik-Lrfio.n:og lb« Uliludr 

tjf a, ri^ 

AtfEsma^ 

l Lirul TuI. A. S. YTaugb’i Inatrurfinn. for TnpWncd 5^^*. Wiilt 11 Woodnut. and Copi^plmr. 

P lir u im 5 -ii nf tiilEi wM IQ SiirrvrinL vri^ EtpJMtttkmm ^ 

i. ItamodB npl-rdt.1 fleVfflniE Birr^on L^Trr^cj o# MMmmm, K-iILui uf tKa Znrtk, lbt™< 
tion* fer B^itrnb g m AnnfuUi. 

4, WpmoFBudinii im ibe MUif^on Bfffliinniir ol fiidi*- e 

I; Hrmomr.li.m of Tot for E.Mniantioo W CmotUalO for ttx. Boat T nfiac .d“rtrin] • nJ SL " fJ 

„ LntltudU of Fttodpl l'i>«> i* Drapd. »* w - ProTioca, M.J™, rn.il B«Nr> 

Landau • W Tturna 4. Co., »7. Norgata Stml; CdmlU i Tjl».:»™. Snii», A Ufl.; 

Uoinbny i tiutr.ua, V inioo, A CV. i AttJwtoJ. J*»- Hm. A Git 

















MUHri b Itttoa to Ssfpnwfc by a.* V«fcJy K«hUI=* « bdb til, EMI. 

ftefetr’s ©itrlanb 


Fiaf l Od. WnttPomiEB TO IflUlA, ffD- 


A NtmW ^ri*Uy piwpirrt to iriU b bail, to,, by whim they .ft top in information 
Tt *ld, (JTor nrrj- aeoutrapn of iatoMt '4 kin: Wto 1 moil camplita Wamfidly “TT 3 ,***?" 
«-r tW S mriftl, F tSlticBJ. *ad Fan^m 13 c»* i-r Uu« J»f p *ll tbs leading amribriitj ui iMi.tinry and ftilYiit CcrcLr*, 
tius ftlflctfel CaaEtLu, uuL kMiJc Gommerriai uml Muncttry Rrtvim. . 

\m M pai« M l™ li-aicd In make n»*iA Ctorttu* ” “I** 1dJ 

nJufala 4« Cirrr in* a! mtonniimi ^np **«**% kM w4 mn*A ™**r «pir*tc' * n 

a tii- bfm h cDimiulKiaD tif intmfftfttg nnwr, u>l a pmmni-nE nW of S P“ taJ * tksilEl ' u si 

bttlMPBd i„ srivine hi u Tull and ccraplat^ - farm u p™tHe info minima p»uimli« c “ t ™ V 

LaWntitig lu rncrnWa of lh* ImTm eumwanity, and darin* tic P.^w^tiiiiT 3 wU* Ike helm: 

En tiew in thtIWVUJ! iiiu rrjmrt of ill* detain. , . , 

-| V I', rnju HiJ Cutoniil inlalWt I) erraniiclKi- Mb prsmol nrrj faff of ™ F .rt«n« tuulir ^ ™ 
af tl.e munlry la which It refai, mim! io iJilibim m cup™ -.if GonrL I'sHlknl, bwHil. MtilroiKillliW, 

„1 tWnrint Nbw*. ditto sM-»p J thr 4* Rfeiaa In U«n ainllrn, Jff*w Pnh&atiuM, M",,.;. t,« 
ilrnnn SrinieB, nni the Ark, Si, i» Ji»p%rJ m no annum* mi imtomling farm. AH apjalRtRUjiili. 
twniii rUnuen, Ac., «f member! i r Ufc Inilbn CHU nml Military Serri™ nnr rf'co In uflk.d "pm*, tom 
,|.„ I„ai. (Uu'c. Inirttar with -|.r mini nl Seiinrtiirr if A }ib* urn* K' «r from ban “"■> m “ I - |I " )I1 
the Wnr OELm r^.'trc nuJ Nn,vil JL ffinlnlnuoU, Uk pnnci|ad m-v,ni*ou namlrf * 1Ltl lht tw<J 
r., !■ n -,11 v mwluL IT,* Gwmnid tdJb of Ihe wrcH huiof turn mtni.iul b mfuntmcii b“'S** 

KTitwi ur Uu.' IfooeliTT mi PrtiioM Mufali mnj ta nliiil api,n m todikid tom wUtJitic Bourn;*. 

Altentim, U -to litoritd b i el-* toftire of ipM intrtnl ta rB^b ntrool, «OB, r .riB E d In * iominnry 
u r the Iniing Bnatl HeurJid la Um buiy nf tin paper, by which tti n-nilen eu Inm IR « elmm rtaj 
M euri*o«of imimrtnjHiE bh*. Ihc dqmftnimrf iltt pperimu nmil. . . .. 

SobBrrhen to Ftarh^J OttrUnii AV« m»J tol mnl *rf mubituir it foil mi rInM' irrtri of »»me 
Uifirmnitiun tawmhi town l» Urn ttilil* of ibn Jiy of Um JepBrtm of «cJi maU. -Wi a "flew af ita t'"“. 
d«l bhmh' ur the week, and i»«-*k* at tt* ronlimptinur (warn on the Inwliitjt tr.pi» of ttatofr 
A Sobwtii-Lku of IS myer., or 3rt ablBingv par mwm, wM nun" «« r Fl oI ^ 111 “™ *“ “ 

arrital af Bich itEinarr, Mol inclnir* lb* pcabgo bi th* AfincUlea rwili. 

tealMi W. Tiueiw A. Go. H7, NtWgtU* Slnfti Cikouni Tfucua, Sri A a, A Co.; 

Poniir, Tin run A Ca.: Bill ill 8 m AjWrii In EoplnnJ mi Ml 


In faji. Sw, p™ iPb C 4 .. 

COLLOQUIAL DIALOGUES IN HINDUSTANI. 

ti> TUini IRE tPRU-ClJ 

A SHORT 6 EAMMAK OF THR LANGUAGE, ANB A VOCAEULAEY, 

Er Outrun 

■nlRt 8 P 4 TAiT h 

AntiiiiT af "T^t FirnaA U^inu rr.,"" "‘nricniaJ Prcfm , ii*i 1 " 2 tc* kr 


TIh. mthor, iihnll tarn iR Ito Ifemtaj Frctidcnry. bn* tata aatp^fi b U*dtof tk. IWa a»J 

ItodoBtoi lajiimnni to the Int annn Jem*, mi hn dwmyi tal ft >rW. *,anll, In BloJaaband 
—.Ah to kwh the ttllMplkl bnuth .if the llindflilmi bmraii^ by wntnis onl KotniMii. He bn thn*. 
r tf rr, aatortBtol to rutnpnfr vd pahlidt Oidoptn. whkh wiU eudJe Mihl«y afllHn to pm * 

rlalhiilLCiJl .n LE U-i. UL tb? aid lif M oj ij.ri«tiS_ 

tomldn: U Tuan ft Ca.; CilrUlt*; TlUtiiB, Sn.f*. A Cd ( Koo'li.y: TW i ffRia , Tin inn, k Co. 
























MADONNA P I A i 

ami) ofiim fubice, 

BY JAMES GREGOR GRANT. 

Twn Tub,, |Wit Itdl, wIRp 1"n iui L" piece lUmitfld Eti.u* by W. Maitiin, 1LJL LuiuIm s Su mp, Elbe a* k Cki- 

I'rie® Its. D-&. 


Critical Notice*. 

IIi- Jttmm. "Thu ft.?- t.f Mud .nr.* I r ja—il»r wfanm Uml* funisimi iiratm] 4u tilt 1 fttr^arln' h —h** 
4-urzr'Vd in A? r. Li rati!. dir ItjEisfil m>i) by far llw W 1 *™ in til? prtfienl nob lun ?u fail trralmrUt frL 
tlLLj tulH uf rcDCUDCf, 1 hr ofllliof hz* eTiuirfHl mart pnnitiw fwlinr. *«iu |df 1 rbbssp .if rkHJB, awE gtn* -jf Lllii*- 
IfaiiQrt ifarni harp hr ►-■rue l.tpir jnut iraimlcd pnr rntiitni BilTcnlnn into tlw rtftaii iJ |||!UU tit** 1 . Pof 
Hski in the toLlery of tie - Minn 1 Uirrr ii knpih teen fiewjmulfcl bj intmiii na nf * ptfoe. 

Frtrift Uimp-p Fpcdmnit ii *SU he ippifiat list Mf. Gnud Jj ralM n-^rr Ln ]i«tio ijnipnlhi iii.Hu iki 
Jt&sfr, forcible. mill barnuiiilucn 

Yfe jiltM. ■ ■ ■ ■' Vr> r. c] a.iUTcJ. Lllfct Mr. RfallL will ipjTTF'niiLr Ik e prab# wM&t wn inU'riJ tu i:I~ 

pmn, in laying til! wr Imirriwiyi llie ulBiutl jnsahk fciNi is the RMiniii™* of ifar fadiup wKi* TuiiS* 
ntlcrannr ill lua pucpi Lb ei s«i tlmns. Tim amUm-nql is wa ftfgnd miHnimi. His p-^t u isrd miw-rpbL< 

ft lf tfa-immflU lie WriUa bu.Hiljt lit M? IIfl d.KI tt'd f-tl hi-rHUb* hr wrffcEB, TllETt LI IP uri.ilsijig- nji— 
□D lltilling U* rin Idifli- — Dll H;S) I—1E10 /rltnncilis. ftd tfiiit WR 4re IG Rt jranirr Of El h a5 rLin.IL; ifaftl 

| fair rttriumi whtck BT“ pirfuM b ifad pira bffat* oa QIC die nhHEbe ri'km* Lif lift! pulutian uf 1 wnJ-ni 
Jliiejihii JioWt/ 1 

nr Enmity M “ # H We rtpret Os«l irUF *pan will mM iTUi* hj 1b giro esani|J» fmm the en.uiy 

BAJDficti III Ueotc fobciinN uf Mr, Rnni'i tniwnr «vcr that ^fleudt r.rra nf tctk. Thrrr *re nun? iji wfatrfa 
TTohleMiirtit t* wfcw the rotaraei hh upprafiriHflh tHU 1* plrwni to b« lir tii4 «f 

WiwiwtJij disFiplB, * * * Mr. Orafll hu i fine rnr f.if Ijrie^" 

fJlmiiff, 1 frtimturfA Journal, * * * - If Firiri jwrtuok h «F tlb hiunia umura nf (Hfcelta 

m. Mjiiuaiis Fl» ik*« uf that nF Deiduti'.f iia, ^ c Bhjudd Juirp iume rlilErtilsj in 6DiliE]|E Ln llin iMicby of lie iIaj 

b iLiiti h far Uia l»uew m- . 

\Tn *rt Tritluifi to nccqit of p MnJuuii* Ki" ii Uftc oF tlm l«l HmirilpiiLiD&i U the petE^il UteihiM of 
lid Js Jr mii SiiTr on faith Lfaat b jmetaeil hand, HI that cfiJeotl^ U wbknk bai il, wiU iurpwn Iffi 

own Trutk OB HiMher n«iiiai]. ai __ 

IjHJilnB s Ip W ITH, ¥.ld^ k Co, 


Fallon {lilVS) + Q*n. y I 

WAISHB’S MI LIT AH Y CATECHISM AND 

HANDBOOK. 

m 

LlEGIMEMlL STANDING ORDERS. BCTFEE OF OFKICERS p GrAEJfS, COURTS 

MARTIAL, tfs. &Zr 

BrfjinJ by j- &Tqe9t:iLE.lLM, Eaq , with Al»tr*rt of I hr Milm* llruiJftta^nJ 1 , ie 


Critical Foticea. 

ra TJic whob Mj hum the print* to 13m e^fanri ti pdni«l eoi Ift drUfl. *V\h «pima fumu forrrprti, 
r imnini.l|>Lin*>, and tburl* MartLil. ?Tm lo. tfan ibLerlor enrHolti j of ft lf^^iiu'. 

~ A Til'jnhlr prOcitldkt, wM win b* found citicunlj natfal in ray rcgrmtntB.1 dBitf/— AW«f «hI 
MflV-ry 

M CoutuDKDg * l*fge MHOHBI o-f nliuibk infenHlm, whirfa. uryflit to lw frun Hi*? in miy 
S™i? __ 


r^-. n - TA lufxn A Ca.E CidctttlB: TkfACKli, A Ca; £knni»it TuiClttfc. Fimimei. A Ca 




















Ta past %W-r wills Praiilkpkra mid Fw Larr-: Plftni, pritc l^i. 

A YEAR'S CAMPAIGNING IN INDIA, 

Bif Major J 0- 

hESUJU. Jt?{Ql?fI.ai; LATT QARttTffD-T IJlOtitKtl, 1,111! fJiti If. 

Kaanr the Tnrmn* mrb imblt lh« lute W*r In Lull*, 'l««n™ " llrl P rtKlil » i"P hle ■“ I "'™ Ilnt 
„t ihB Ki lhtg operation! iu tin praoit ««. ft ii Rimini' ih wilb hip pi™', “7 "Mb* *J*F "P«J- 

tivoi bi-fura Delhi urn! turknon, »u4 mnpa of■ Btutuii’t l i:n[iiiipi in (be Pnah. and lln KipodrLMI to lie 
IkiJai Canal tj. 'OTJaHu tlia amihwj of lib a Lafuniishari eriumi^oi!" U to tlia afliEittty nifliw tin; uxunri^ 
IukuLtuU Mid titi 4 dciuLU giffl It * uiiiifiraJil uitert*^. 


Critical Natick 

M If tlitTB irtrt- iiiiUT pertawd iKflQiili Site this Jeiu-riftiaa «f 1 A YeV* Campaign a £ id. luiii^ Cipln,ii 
MaUir, klikTT wnnhl' sat nlTcr ill- -wna flute to t&J ififf *f «R^N5 tkwt it Pn^ If 

^ fHditi wMi b nfrr.ll Ihtiw mwMi** with a ft *« at tbr rm>*|*l military ■* ^ **Y™- 

iMt unad S but te ikr-lch omnpriia, irr mn MbftqwHd it to thrlr D ^«"— 

11 A book lLt4i tisni (rf CuitaiM M«H*7 h Hun.a ap nrceL fill the^J of whirl- rrcpy <mi b*s 

KDipiiiaiHi. Til* npiuin i* u. wbu - Suiirtml bk ^' nl mo-1 Of 

nidi sJ,r matelj unit Md ef s KpViU^ bs nlmn lhr i^mHU ansnll in fntn*i H* t^k pvt 

in lb* Itehr Fmpedllmn. *trilW fc* aChir. but Lb fartir -f “W,h *» -uputrf, cr.,„«l *.> «* ■*- 

klfn t<.duntbn. dliwtad . bump*! U* S«^ of Mtfi and fi** * r,:idr » UuAM •"* *IW “ 
ths capture of UM-tao*. All tMi tic trlls f, bit Rfewhi In * ««rl*. “f""* “ J 

, liiw t ], B[ Hi- iLcm! r.n 1,1 1 ■ ha* bom mlinLHrJ iulw bis fwMnact, *t f«l 't* 1 t Ii n ™tlt rJl U imnenidr 

, u beiteMr lL« nurntaf ufthnw «ba won!.] rUIut hlini»i°u iolatlw hii-^Vy tiirif,"-IT* r«f &™ta- 

“fir 111* .wua or the MbUbj— wr.rttfur. it« .apprHiiM-h «hkk Ik C"P l! " n ^ * 

ririd whb hip m pe«»™i Tl* "*««* » »"J wril *««“. ■»* ^ J™*' 

liatkc plxai will be fu-iLOil ex Ltvuiulj Hjcfiil Lit cimuii'if \kt: guLfiml rtm-Df (js nadRi^i^I tne ai^ajry of Ibr 
cuanuffn, 11 —-SWw! *i4 

-A VkA, rtttd oof -*Unh wr on femrtlj. ofl-S wa.ddl Kuutilfp 

• - • Hiviiu on ™u pit crnpplnl *,ilb i.,d Tift^qlilad nrrr»l Uaodinlwcisbt <* Inb «tt lu.ln, lm,o«bt 

out by 111* amsmiau vM*b b.,* ju<l jrim M Emi.™ 10 Hiudoit™. w* mj ftiriy «f tb* do ol 

tlic mitmliJ jMdi Inf it* ill* two titwi li“ bs™ belief dnn* ttua &pu3*i M«U*j 1 *,"—tUfivrj fiMrtte. 

" Cnptnin Modk, *. ,.u of 1b> *io>U b«i uf E«j5i«r otll<«f » M ^ tln>r « “• 
nf whom «ur**[|Eicx iliiii sr wflBDdtd. Ilia ttwne ii nmai buaonraWy Mweiattfi "lib Jang* »f “jj" 

fjirkMv. Bi« tooiplioni w dirail ▼bum*. } M 111 •*" lbi , '^ hu be “* 1 : “f ** 1 U “, 
Hi, MlbllTT Opera! 1*1.• h will gttnllj a*ssrt tbe aBHltf&fl aolilkr lit judsiof '<( e™l* dJ “ 1 ’'? “ e 

lonit juaniinibk in hulcry. Among Hi* boob "bleb im «ppiair*<l ™ tbil anbjeet, Ciptua >IHJ*y a 

la oBS qf lir but ”—Snht* (Jujaf**/# JknnS. 


b inp* pfift £*., 

A PERSONAL JOURNAL OF TOE SIEGE OF 

LUCKNOW. 

Bt Major IL P. Avnmoif, 

-bib N T,, nnpfflandi.nl m OnliMti-Bringlb* Skgi, 



“ Wc fnbiiitcr Canton AcAcmn't v,,tunic » i tntiai lirtwatiaf "Uttintul laliraonyof thn talour, fortitnJn, 
and lb* nnbl*qiulill** *Udi iWSi to J»« gbundviral all tin Ullnrf luiuu* dmlof the lit*™- 
ncinoralL <i*ge.“—J htmi*$ JT«mM 



T... i>a ,!l Co., CilculUi) tsansxa. Snib, A Co.; Ilunlwji TeiealP, Tiuura, A Ca. 





























' Ab °° klh °’“^“^« Mack - 

^C««OL 0% 

v v \ 

^ GOVT. OP INDIA \ 

(S' *«*<■*„ * 

NEW DELHI ?* 

Pleaae h-t- 

— k ~ p *• *“* 















Central Archaeological Library 

NEW DELHI- n ,, __ 


Author 


Bo? I o« T 


A book that is shut is but a block 

_C** E ° l °G/r. 


gr' GOVT- OF INDIA % 

/’*■ Depart teem oi Ardiaeolog? ^ 

J NEW DELHI 


Please help u* 1° 

leiin and moving.